So You Wannabe an Outlaw
Steve Earle Lyrics

So you wanna be an outlaw, better take it from me
I've been there, and I'm warning you that living on the run isn't as glamorous as it sounds.

Living on the highway, ain't everything it's suppose to be
Being constantly on the move, with no real home and always looking over your shoulder for the law, is not as fun as it sounds.

Everybody reckons that they wanna be free
Everyone wants to be free from constraints and responsibilities, but that doesn't mean they actually want to be alone.

Ain't no body wants to be alone
Despite the allure of living free and wild, nobody actually wants to be completely alone without anyone to rely on.

Stumblin' in the alley at a quarter to three
Being a lawless outlaw can lead to dangerous and desperate situations, like stumbling around in alleyways late at night.

Hollaring after sally, 'honey, what you trying to do to me'
Sometimes being an outlaw can bring out the worst in people, including aggressive behavior towards others.

Told me 'go to hell, I'm going back to tennessee'
Some people may find the outlaw lifestyle too difficult or burdensome, and decide to return home to their normal life.

I said, 'angel, you can never go home'
Once you've become an outlaw, returning to a normal life isn't really an option - you're always on the run and can never go back to a 'normal' life.

So you wanna be outlaw, better listen up kid
If you're thinking of becoming an outlaw, you need to be aware of the harsh realities of that life.

Steal a million dollar and you have to keep it hid
Outlaws may make a lot of money, but they can't just spend it freely if they want to stay hidden from the law.

Ain't no place to spend it in the desert if you did
Even if you do manage to get your hands on a lot of money, as an outlaw there may not be many places for you to actually spend it safely.

And you can't take it with you when you go
Even if you do manage to keep your ill-gotten gains, you can't take them with you when you eventually die - and as an outlaw, you may not have many people who care about you in the end anyway.

Always something laying for you up around the bend
When you're living a life of crime and lawlessness, there's always something waiting up ahead to trip you up or catch you off guard.

Everything that goes around comes back around again
Outlaws may think they can evade the law forever, but eventually their actions will catch up to them in one way or another.

You can't trust anybody, not a lover or a friend
Becoming an outlaw often means cutting yourself off from the people who care about you, as you can't trust anyone to keep your secrets or help you evade the law.

Your momma, maybe, then you never know
Even your own family may not be able to help you out as an outlaw - it's hard to know who you can really trust when you're living outside of the law.

So you wanna be an outlaw, son you better think twice
Before diving into a life of crime and lawlessness, you really need to consider whether it's worth the risks and consequences.

You better not pout and you better not cry
Once you're an outlaw, there's no turning back - you can't complain or feel sorry for yourself when you face the inevitable consequences of your actions.

'Cause there won't nobody give a damn about you when you die
Outlaws don't have many friends or allies, and once they're dead nobody is going to mourn their passing or care about their legacy - except, perhaps, the devil.

But the devil when he comes for his due
Outlaws often make deals with the devil - choosing short-term gain and risk over long-term stability and safety - and eventually they'll have to pay the price for those deals.

When you're standing at the cross roads, don't you try to flag a ride
Sometimes outlaws may try to escape their fate, but there's no running forever - eventually, fate will catch up to you.

Don't you fall down on your knees, don't you do what's already been tried
Outlaws may try to appeal to a higher power or beg for mercy, but their fate is ultimately their own to bear.

Hate to tell you but the only the left side is to sing the devil out of the blues
The only way out for an outlaw is often through music or other creative outlets, as that's the only way to process the guilt and fear that comes with a life of crime.

Singing the blues
This line reiterates the idea that outlaws often cope with their lives through music and creative expression.

Keep on singing the blues
The energy and creativity of the outlaw lifestyle may be compelling, but the consequences are severe - all they can do is keep on singing their sorrows.

Sing the 'so you wanna be an outlaw' blues
This is a final admonishment to anyone considering a life of crime - think carefully about the consequences and whether it's really worth it.