Steve Earle, "Sidetracks", 2002
--words and music by Steve Earle
from "The Farrago Sessions", 2006, LineLevel Music
I was fresh out of the service It was back in '82 I raised some cane when I come back to town Meant to be all I can 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 And I 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 those long nights at the walls How they used to strap 'em in the chair And the kids down from the college yeah they'd bring their beer and all When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air Yeah I guess folks just got too civilized with Sparky's gatherin' dust And no one wants to touch a smokin' gun They got the injection now Don't mind as much, I guess They just put 'em down on Ellis Unit One Swing low Swing low Swing low and carry me home Yeah, I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys I've seen 'em go like lambs 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 victims' families holdin' hands Last night I dreamed I woke up with straps across my chest And something cold and black all 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 And carry me home