The song "A Week in a Country Jail" by Tom T. Hall tells the story of the singer's experience of spending a week in a small country jail. He was caught speeding in a small town and was arrested by two men who told him he would have to see the judge the next morning. The singer thought he would only be there for a night, so he called his boss to tell him he would be off work but not for long. However, he was put in a cell with seven other guys and soon realized that he would be there for a while. His cellmates joked about sending the jailer for beer, but the singer had to pay him double to get it. The singer was served hot bologna, eggs, and gravy by the jailer's wife, which he eventually started to enjoy. He was eventually released after seven days, but not before the judge took all the money he had. The story seems to be a humorous take on a serious situation, and the singer's experiences while in jail show how he learned to adapt to his new surroundings. The lyrics also touch on the idea of justice and punishment, as well as the power dynamics between those in charge and those who are imprisoned.
