Ellis Unit One

I was fresh out of the service It was back in ?82 I raised some Cain when I came back to town Meant to be all I could be Come home without a clue 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 Worked on every cell block Now, things're goin' good Then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One Swing low Swing low Swing low and carry me home Now, 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 When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air I guess folks just got too civilized Old Sparky's gatherin' dust No one wants to touch a smokin' gun Ehey got that injection now They don't mind as much, I guess Put ?em down on 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 I've seen the victim's family's 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 Swing low Swing low and carry me home