I was born a poor poor man
All my life I had hard workin' hands
But I sang my song as I carried my load
'Cause I had a dream about rainbow, rainbow road
And then one day my chance came along
A man heard me singing, and playing my songs
He bought me fine clothes, paid the money I owed
Sent me on my way to rainbow, rainbow road
And then one night a man with a knife
Forced me to take his life
Though I pleaded with him so desperately
The judge showed no mercy when he passed his sentence on me
Now as I pull these ball and chain
wearing this number for my name
dreams like me have all grown old
but I still dream about that rainbow, rainbow road, rainbow road,
I still dream about that rainbow road, rainbow road