Ellis Unit One Lyrics - Steve Earle

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, things're goin' good 

But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One 

Swing low 

Swing low 

Swing low and carry me home 

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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 n all 

N 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 holdin' hands 

Photos 

Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest 

And something cold and black pullin' through my lungs 

N 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