Death Cell Blues
Injustice Blues: Blind Willie McTell's Tale of False Accusations
Lyrics
They got me 'cused for murder and I haven't even harmed a
Accusation of murder without having caused harm.
Man
Reiteration of innocence regarding causing harm to anyone.
They got me 'cused for murder but I haven't even harmed a
Being accused of murder despite not harming anyone.
Man
Restatement of innocence regarding causing harm.
They got me charged with burglin' and I haven't even
Charged with burglary without having raised a hand.
Raised my hand
Emphasizing the lack of physical aggression despite the charges.
The judge won't give me no fine
The judge is unwilling to impose a monetary penalty.
The judge won't give me no fine
Reiteration of the judge's reluctance to impose a fine.
Ain't but one thing could release me and that's so far
Suggesting that only being far away could bring release.
Beside
Expressing a feeling of isolation or distance from help.
I'll have to give you my number, 5994
Providing a numerical identifier for the speaker (5994).
I'll have to give your my number, 5994
Repeating the speaker's identification number.
Because I'll be there forever, I've have no other place
Conveying a sense of perpetual confinement and having no alternative.
To go
Further emphasizing the lack of alternative places to go.
They got me 'cused for forging and I can't even write my
Accused of forging without the ability to write one's name.
Name
Reiteration of being accused of forging despite the inability to write.
Well they got me 'cused of forging and I can't even write
Highlighting the speaker's inability to write their own name.
My name
Repeating the accusation of forging and inability to write a name.
And my eyes still don't miss, my baby left my poor heart
Despite being accused and unable to write, the speaker's emotions remain intact after a romantic separation.
In pain
Expressing emotional pain from the departure of a loved one.
My baby left my heart in pain
Reiterating the emotional distress caused by the departure of the speaker's beloved.
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