i remember my grandfather s counsel as he layed the leather to my hide he said there s just one rule to life that always will apply you can t do wrong and get by now lessons tend to fade as we grow older and i found myself in jail at twenty five had to sit there by my lawyer the old judge looked me in the eye said you can t do wrong and get by you can t do wrong and get by for very long do wrong and all your troubles multiply you may not face them here but you ll face the man on high you can t do wrong and get by instrumental now once i had a wife and lovin children but i gave into the pleasures of the night used my grand dads very words to say her last goodbye you can t do wrong and get by you can t do wrong and get by for very long do wrong and all your troubles multiply oh you may not face them here but you ll sure face the man on high you can t do wrong and get by no no you can t do wrong and get by you can t do wrong and get by oh no you can t do wrong and get by 