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