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I was fresh out of the service |
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It was back in '82 |
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I raised some Cain when I come back to town |
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I left to be all I could be |
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Come home without a clue |
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Now, I married Dawn and had to settle down |
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So I hired on at the prison |
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Guess I always knew I would |
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Just like my dad and both my uncles done |
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And I worked on every cell block now |
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'N things were goin' good |
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But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One |
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Swing low |
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Swing low |
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Swing low and carry me home |
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Well, my daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls |
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And how they used to strap 'em in the chair |
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The kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer 'n all |
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'N when the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air |
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Well, folks just got too civilized |
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Sparky's gatherin' dust |
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'Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun |
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And since they got the injection |
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They don't mind as much, I guess |
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They just put 'em down at Ellis Unit One |
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Swing low |
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Swing low |
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Swing low and carry me home |
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Well, I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys |
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I've seen 'em go like lambs |
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And I've helped to drag 'em when they could not stand |
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And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam |
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And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands |
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Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest |
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And something cold and black pullin' through my lungs |
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'N even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his best |
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But he don't live on Ellis Unit One |
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Swing low |
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Swing low |
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Swing low and carry me home |
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Swing low |
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Don't let go |
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Swing low and carry me home |
