I was fresh out of the serviceIt was back in 82I raised some Cain when I come back to townI left to be all I could b eCome home without a clueNow, I married Dawn and had to settle downSo I hired on at the prisonGuess I always knew I would Just like my dad and both my uncles doneAnd I worked on every cell blockNow, things're goin' goodBut then they transferred m e to Ellis Unit OneSwing lowSwing lowSwing low and carry me homeWell, my daddy used to talk about them long nights at the wallsAnd how they used to strap em in the chairThe kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer n allN when the l ights went out, a cheer rose in the airWell, folks just got too civilizedSparky's gatherin' dustCause no one wants to touch a smokin' gunAnd since they got the injectionThey don't mind as much, I guessThey just put em down at Ellis Unit OneSwing lowSwing lowSwing low and carry me homeWell, I've seen em fight like lions, boysI've seen 'em go like lambsAnd I've help ed to drag em when they could not standAnd I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slamAnd I've seen the victim's family holdin' handsLast night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chestAnd something cold and black pul lin' through my lungsN even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his bestBut he don't live on Ellis Unit OneSwing lo wSwing lowSwing low and carry me homeSwing lowDon't let goSwing low and carry me home