Steve Earle - Ellis Unit One

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