LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE
(Tim DuBois / Jim Hurt 1981)

Alabama 1981


I once thought of love as a prison
A place I didn't want to be
So long ago I made a decision
To be footloose and fancy free.

But you came I was so tempted
To gamble on love just one time
I never thought I would get caught
It seemed like the perfect crime.

Baby, you left me defenseless
I've only got one plea
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I'm guilty of love in the first degree.

I thought it would be so simple
Like a thousand times before
I'd take what I wanted and just walk away
But I never made it to the door.

Now babe, I'm not beggin' for mercy
Go ahead and throw the book at me
If lovin' you's a crime, I know that I'm
As guilty as a man can be.

Baby, you left me defenseless.
I've only got one plea
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I'm guilty of love in the first degree.

Love in the first degree, oh yeah
Oh yeah.

Baby, you left me defenseless.
I've only got one plea.
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I'm guilty of love in the first degree.

Love in the first degree oh yeah 
Love in the first degree
Love in the first degree oh yeah 
Love in the first degree
Love in the first degree
Love in the first degree
(fade)




(Transcribed by David Story - June 2013)