Lyrics:

You say I'm an evil man
For stealin' from a passenger train
But have mercy on this ol' boy
I sweat that I can explain
I took the diamond, from the safe of your soul
I dug deep and wide and put it down in a hole
I put it down there so nobody would know
That I tried to turn back but I couldn't let go

[Chorus]
Times were hard, they brought me down
At least I can say that I tried
Well I ain't that bad, well I ain't that good
I just did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
Though it wasn't long ago
You said I would do what I done
That I'd bear the pain of the passenger train
And live my life on the run
I tried to hide from the things in my mind
The night time was cold but the darkness was kind
As I went down, and laid on my side
I closed my eyes and I dreamed that I died

[Chorus]
Times were hard, they brought me down
At least I can say that I tried
Well I ain't that bad, well I ain't that good
I just did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
Though it was in infamy
I had my fortune and fame
After I robbed the passenger train
Nothin' was ever the same
My pockets were lined with the silver and gold
But the weight got heavy and I started to fold
I went to the steps of the ol' town hall
I said here's all my money, you can have it all

[Chorus]
Times were hard, they brought me down
At least I can say that I tried
Well I ain't that bad, well I ain't that good
I just did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by
I did what I did, I did what I did, I did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by. (You know I tried)
I did what I did to get by. (Yeah I did)
I did what I did to get by
I did what I did to get by