30 Years to Life
Slash Lyrics

So the story goes
The singer is about to recount a tale that must be shared

This is a tale that must be told
The singer feels that it's important to tell this story

For what could be your destiny, you'll never know
Things can change quickly in life and the future is uncertain

I never meant to be here
The artist didn't intend to end up in this situation

I never even tried
The artist didn't put any effort into avoiding this outcome

But until you know when you're lost and down
You may not realize you are in a bad place until you hit rock bottom

You'll come to trouble in time
Eventually the consequences of your actions will catch up with you

It was a cold December
The artist remembers the specific details of the event

I wept sad at night
The event caused the artist emotional pain

In a steel-toed rage, made a big mistake
The artist acted impulsively and regrets their actions

Now I'll be doing time
The singer has been sentenced to serve time in prison

I was running with the order
The artist was involved in some kind of organized group or gang

I was running out of time
The singer knew their actions were unsustainable and things were going to catch up to them soon

Now for me there is no quarter
The singer has nowhere to turn for mercy or leniency

I don't wanna be here
The singer regrets their actions and the consequences thereof

I don't wanna die
The artist is afraid they may not make it out of their situation alive

Serving 30 years to life
The artist has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term

What I did, I can't deny
The singer owns up to their actions and takes responsibility for what they've done

Now the sorrow in my heart will never fade
The singer experiences profound regret and sadness for what they have done

I remember it so well
The artist can recall the details of their mistake vividly

But now I'm sad that I'm goin' to hell
The artist feels they may go to hell for their actions and is resigned to their fate

Lord, I'm sorry for the error of my ways
The artist is asking for forgiveness for their mistakes

They sent me on a mission
The singer was given a task by their superiors

Out to earn my stripes
The artist was attempting to prove themselves to their peers

Should've known damn well when the kerbstone fell
The singer recognizes they should have seen the warning signs of what was to come

Things would never be right
The outcome was never going to be in the singer's favor

Now I know, now I know
The singer has learned from the mistakes of their past

I was wrong and I can't let this go
The artist recognizes their culpability and feels remorse

I am sorry, what a wretched soul
The artist is filled with shame and self-disgust for their past actions

Oh, what a big mistake
The singer's mistake was significant and life-altering

Now I'm growing old
The singer has spent a significant chunk of their life in prison

18 years I'm all to go
The artist still has a significant amount of time left on their sentence

I waste away in this cage, I'm all alone
The artist feels the isolation and despair of being in prison

Yes, I'm sorry for the error of my ways
The artist reiterates their remorse and seeking of forgiveness