Steve Earle - Ellis Unit One lyrics

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
And things were 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 and all
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 holding hands

Last night, i dreamed that I woke up
With straps across my chest
And something cold and black
Pullin' through my lungs
And 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