I Was Fresh Out Of The Service


It Was Back In '82


I Raised Some Cain When I Come Back To Town


I Left To Be All I Could Be


Come Home Without A Clue


Now, I Married Dawn And Had To Settle Down





So I Hired On At The Prison


Guess I Always Knew I Would


Just Like My Dad And Both My Uncles Done


And I Worked On Every Cell Block


Now, Things're Goin' Good


But Then They Transferred Me To Ellis Unit One





Swing Low


Swing Low


Swing Low And Carry Me Home





Well, My Daddy Used To Talk About Them Long Nights At The Walls


And How They Used To Strap 'em In The Chair


The Kids Down From The College And They'd Bring Their Beer 'n All


'N When The Lights Went Out, A Cheer Rose In The Air





Well, Folks Just Got Too Civilized


Sparky's Gatherin' Dust


'Cause No One Wants To Touch A Smokin' Gun


And Since They Got The Injection


They Don't Mind As Much, I Guess


They Just Put 'em Down At Ellis Unit One





Swing Low


Swing Low


Swing Low And Carry Me Home





Well, I've Seen 'em Fight Like Lions, Boys


I've Seen 'em Go Like Lambs


And I've Helped To Drag 'em When They Could Not Stand


And I've Heard Their Mamas Cryin' When They Heard That Big Door Slam


And I've Seen The Victim's Family Holdin' Hands





Last Night I Dreamed That I Woke Up With Straps Across My Chest


And Something Cold And Black Pullin' Through My Lungs


'N Even Jesus Couldn't Save Me Though I Know He Did His Best


But He Don't Live On Ellis Unit One





Swing Low


Swing Low


Swing Low And Carry Me Home


Swing Low


Don't Let Go


Swing Low And Carry Me Home