Ellis Unit One

(Steve Earle)

I was fresh out of the service

It was back in ‘82

I raised some Cain when I came 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

And when the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air

Well, folks just got too civilized

Old Sparky's gatherin' dust

‘Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun

And since they got that 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

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