Everyone knows that when it comes to prison songs, Johnny Cash is the Lance Armstrong of the genre. However, I'm going to highlight another amazing songwriter in this article, one who isn't necessarily synonymous with prison songs - Bob Dylan.

I'm specifically referring to the song, I Shall be Released. It may have one of the catchiest sing-along choruses of all times, and for this reason, I guess I never really gave the lyrics much thought. But recently, I paid close attention to the lyrics and concluded that it's definitely a prison song, and that it measures up to prison heavyweights like Folsom Prison Blues & San Quentin.

Below I've attached Dylan's lyrics for this song, which I feel directly refer to life in the box. I dedicate them to all the reckless out there, who have long paid for their crime, but are still a victim of their time.
- Be Cool, and any day now, you shall be released.

Bob Dylan - I Shall Be Released Lyrics

They say ev'rything can be replaced,
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

They say ev'ry man needs protection,
They say ev'ry man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.

Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Crying out that he was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.