Steve Earle Ellis Unit One written by Steve Earle
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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 came back to town
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Meant to be all I could be
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Come home without a clue
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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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Worked on every cell block
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Now, things're goin' good
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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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Now, 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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When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air
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I guess folks just got too civilized
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Old Sparky's gatherin' dust
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No one wants to touch a smokin' gun
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Ehey got that injection now
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They don't mind as much, I guess
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Put ‘em down 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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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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I've seen the victim's family's 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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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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Swing low
B E
Swing low and carry me home
