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. 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. 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.