Ellis Unit One

Swing low
Swing low
I left to be all I could be, come home without a clue

�N even Jesus couldn't save me though

Swing low
I know He did his best

�Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun
Don't let go
And carry me home
They don't mind as much, I guess
Swing low
But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One
The kids down from the college
And I've heard their mamas cryin'

And they'd bring their beer 'n all
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Well, folks just got too civilized

They just put �em down at Ellis Unit One
When they could not stand
And I worked on every cell block

Guess, I always knew I would
And how they used to strap �em in the chair
So I hired on at the prison
Swing low
And I've helped to drag �em
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Well, my Daddy used to talk
Sparky's gatherin' dust

And carry me home
And since they got the injection
Last night I dreamed that I woke up
And carry me home
Swing low
Swing low
Swing low

Well, I've seen �em fight like lions, boys

With straps across my chest
When they heard that big door slam
About them long nights at the walls
Just like my dad and both my uncles done
I've seen 'em go like lambs
But He don't live on Ellis Unit One
And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands
Swing low

Now, and things're goin' good
'N when the lights went out
A cheer rose in the air
And something cold and black, pullin' through my lungs
Now, I married Dawn and had to settle down