Once a Thief (withdrawn cassette bonus track ‘State of Confusion’) Songtext
von The Kinks

So you′ve decided to set me free
I've paid my debt to society
Fresh out of jail trying to make a new start
On the street with a bitter heart
But my past keeps on haunting me
There ain′t no chance for a man with my history

Once a thief
Always a suspect
Once a liar
Never be believed
Will they ever forget that
I was once a thief?


I was out in the cold
I was soaked to the skin
I needed a home
And your heart took me in
Then I heard all the lies
And I lost my belief
You threw away my hope
And you called me a thief

So you've decided to set me free
I'm out of jail but you′ve still got the key
There was a time when I thought you respected me
But somehow you always suspected me

Once a thief
Always a suspect
Once a liar
Never be believed
Will they ever forget that
I was once a thief?

Instead of offering me charity,
You should′ve tried to put some faith in me
Instead of making me a better man,
You kept reminding me of what I am


Instead of offering me charity,
You should've tried to put some faith in me
How many years must a criminal pay?
Until he′s old and his hair turns to gray
You smile at me
But I know underneath
You're thinking
Once a thief always a suspect.

Once a thief
Always a suspect
Once a liar
Never be believed
Will they ever forget that
I was once a thief?