Ellis Unit One written by Steve Earle
E
I was fresh out of the service
A
It was back in ‘82
E B A
I raised some Cain when I came back to town
E
I meant to be all I could be
A
Come home without a clue
E B E
Married Dawn and had to settle down
E
So I hired on at the prison
A
Guess I always knew I would
E B A
Just like my dad and both my uncles done
E
Worked on every cell block
A
Now, things're goin' good
E B E
Then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One
A B
Swing low
E A
Swing low
B E (repeat)
Swing low and carry me home
E A
Now, my daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls
E B A
And how they used to strap ‘em in the chair
E A
The kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer ‘n all
E B A
When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air
E
I guess folks just got too civilized
A
Old Sparky's gatherin' dust
E B A
No one wants to touch a smokin' gun
E
They got that injection now
A
They don't mind as much, I guess
E B E
Put ‘em down on Ellis Unit One
A B
Swing low
E A
Swing low
B E (repeat)
Swing low and carry me home
E
Well, I've seen ‘em fight like lions, boys
A
I've seen 'em go like lambs
E B A
And I've helped to drag ‘em when they could not stand
E A
And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam
E B E
I've seen the victim's family's holdin' hands
E A
Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest
E B A
And something cold and black pullin' through my lungs
E A
Even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his best
E B E
But he don't live on Ellis Unit One
Chorus x2
