Ninety Nine Years (Dead Or Alive)

Guy Mitchell

Words by Sid Wayne and Music by John Benson Brooks



Peaked at # 23 in 1956



Now today I'm thinkin' 'bout the ninth of June

I found my friend and my baby at the Golden Spoon

He jumped off the stool and come at me with a knife

Said "We both can't have her, so fight for your life"



Ninety nine years in the penitentiary

Ninety nine years, baby, baby, wait for me

Ninety nine years, around twenty fifty five

We'll get together dead or alive



Now today I'm thinkin' 'bout that courtroom trial

I was so sad, baby, saw you weepin' like a child

Ah, the jury found me guilty, wouldn't listen to my plea

And the judge said "Mercy" threw the book at me



Ninety nine years in the penitentiary

Ninety nine years, baby, baby, wait for me

(Ninety nine years), around twenty fifty five

We'll get together dead or alive



Now today I'm thinkin' (today I'm a-thinkin')

'bout my old friend Turk ('bout my old friend Turk)

Must be laughin' with the angels (must be laughin' with the angels)

Loafin' while I work (loafin' while I work)

Ah, they beat me when I don't (ah, they beat me when I don't)

And they beat me when I do (and they beat me when I do)

Hey, but I can take it, baby, for you



Ninety nine years in the penitentiary

(Ninety nine years), baby, baby, wait for me

(Ninety nine years), around twenty fifty five

We'll get together dead or alive



FADE

(Ninety nine years)

(Ninety nine years)