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