Go out yonder, peace in the valley
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

Anybody seen my baby?
Livin' alone sure drive me crazy
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

I'm goin' down to river
But I ain't gonna jump in
I'll be there lookin' for my maker
'Cause I seen that's where she's been Lord!

Out of nine lives, I spent seven
How in the world do I get to Heaven?
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

I just spent 60 days in the jailhouse
For the crime of having no dough
Here I am now back out on the street
For the crime of having nowhere to go

Save your neck or save your brother
These days you know it's one or the other
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Go out yonder, peace in the valley
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The shape I'm in, the shape I'm in