25 Minutes to Go
Countdown to Redemption: Johnny Cash's Eerie Tale of Final Moments
Lyrics
Well they're building a gallows outside my cell I've got 25 minutes to go
Construction of a gallows is underway outside the speaker's cell; he has 25 minutes until execution.
And the whole town's waitin' just to hear me yell I've got 24 minutes to go
The entire town is eagerly anticipating the speaker's reaction; 24 minutes left.
Well they gave me some beans for my last meal I've got 23 minutes to go
The speaker receives beans for his last meal; 23 minutes remaining, and nobody inquires about his emotions.
But nobody asked me how I feel I've got 22 minutes to go
No one asks about the speaker's feelings as the countdown continues; 22 minutes left.
Well I sent for the governor and the whole dern bunch with 21 minutes to go
The speaker requests the governor and others with 21 minutes left, seeking intervention.
And I sent for the mayor but he's out to lunch I've got 20 more minutes to go
Despite requesting the mayor, he's unavailable; the speaker has 20 more minutes.
Then the sheriff said boy I gonna watch you die got 19 minutes to go
The sheriff informs the speaker of imminent death; 19 minutes to go.
So I laughed in his face and I spit in his eye got 18 minutes to go
Defiantly, the speaker laughs and spits at the sheriff; 18 minutes left.
Now hear comes the preacher for to save my soul with 13 minutes to go
The preacher arrives to save the speaker's soul with 13 minutes left.
And he's talking bout' burnin' but I'm so cold I've 12 more minutes to go
The preacher discusses burning, but the speaker is indifferent; 12 more minutes.
Now they're testin' the trap and it chills my spine 11 more minutes to go
The trap is tested, causing discomfort for the speaker; 11 more minutes.
And the trap and the rope aw they work just fine got 10 more minutes to go
The trap and the rope are effective; 10 more minutes to go.
Well I'm waitin' on the pardon that'll set me free with 9 more minutes to go
The speaker waits for a pardon that could set him free; 9 more minutes.
But this is for real so forget about me got 8 more minutes to go
Realizing the inevitability, the speaker asks to be forgotten; 8 more minutes.
With my feet on the trap and my head on the noose got 5 more minutes to go
With feet on the trap and head on the noose, the speaker has 5 more minutes.
Won't somebody come and cut me loose with 4 more minutes to go
The speaker implores someone to cut him loose; 4 more minutes.
I can see the mountains I can see the skies with 3 more minutes to go
The speaker observes the surroundings, acknowledging nature with 3 more minutes.
And it's to dern pretty for a man that don't want to die 2 more minutes to go
The beauty contrasts with the impending death; 2 more minutes to go.
I can see the buzzards I can hear the crows 1 more minute to go
The speaker sees buzzards and hears crows, signaling the imminent end; 1 more minute.
And now I'm swingin' and here I go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!
The speaker begins swinging, facing the inevitability of death.
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