Ellis Unit One written by Steve Earle

^EI was fresh out of the service It was ^Aback in '82 ^EI raised some Cain when I came back t^Bo town ^A ^EI meant to be all I could be ^ACome home without a clue ^EMarried Dawn and had to settle^B down ^E So I ^Ehired on at the prison Guess I alw^Aays knew I would ^EJust like my dad and both my uncl^Bes done ^A ^EWorked on every cell block Now, thing^As're goin' good Then they ^Etransferred me to Ellis Unit O^Bne ^E

^ASwing ^Blow ^ESwing ^Alow B E (repeat) Swing low and carry me home

^ENow, my daddy used to talk about them l^Aong nights at the walls And ^Ehow they used to strap 'em in^B the chair ^A ^EThe kids down from the college and they'd^A bring their beer 'n all ^EWhen the lights went out, a cheer rose in th^Be air ^A I guess ^Efolks just got too civilized ^AOld Sparky's gatherin' dust ^ENo one wants to touch a smo^Bkin' gun ^A ^EThey got that injection now They don't ^Amind as much, I guess ^EPut 'em down on Ellis Unit^B One ^E

^ASwing ^Blow ^ESwing ^Alow B E (repeat) Swing low and carry me home

^EWell, I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys ^AI've seen 'em go like lambs ^EAnd I've helped to drag 'em when they could ^Bnot stand ^A ^EAnd I've heard their mamas cryin' when they ^Aheard that big door slam ^EI've seen the victim's family's ^Bholdin' hands ^E ^ELast night I dreamed that I woke up with strap^As across my chest ^EAnd something cold and black pullin' through m^By lungs ^A ^EEven Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his bes^At But he ^Edon't live on E^Bllis Unit ^EOne

Chorus x2

Steve Earle - Ellis unit one