Ellis Unit One
Echoes of Redemption: Ellis Unit One Chronicles
Lyrics
I was fresh out of the service
I had recently left the military
It was back in 82
Refers to the year 1982
I raised some Cain when I come back to town
I caused trouble when I returned to town
I left to be all I could be
Expresses the intention to fulfill one's potential
Come home without a clue
Returning home without a clear direction or plan
Now, I married Dawn and had to settle down
I got married to Dawn and had to settle down
So I hired on at the prison
I started working at the prison, as I had expected I would
Guess I always knew I would
It was anticipated, following family tradition
Just like my dad and both my uncles done
Similar to what my father and uncles had done
And I worked on every cell block
Performed tasks across different sections of the prison
Now, things're goin' good
Initially, things were going well in the job
But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One
I was transferred to work at Ellis Unit One
Swing low
Alludes to the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" indicating a desire for deliverance or freedom
Swing low
-Swing low and carry me home
-Well, my daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls
My father spoke of the intense nights at the prison
And how they used to strap em in the chair
Refers to executions in the electric chair
The kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer n all
College students attending executions with alcohol
N when the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air
A celebratory reaction when the execution was carried out
Well, folks just got too civilized
As society progressed, use of the electric chair declined
Sparky's gatherin' dust
The electric chair, nicknamed Sparky, is no longer used
Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun
Avoidance of involvement with deadly weapons
And since they got the injection
Since the introduction of lethal injection
They don't mind as much, I guess
People are less disturbed by the method of execution
They just put em down at Ellis Unit One
Executions now occur at Ellis Unit One
Swing low
Repeated plea for spiritual deliverance
Swing low
-Swing low and carry me home
-Well, I've seen em fight like lions, boys
Witnessed inmates fighting fiercely and others submitting quietly
I've seen 'em go like lambs
Some inmates accepted their fate passively
And I've helped to drag em when they could not stand
Assisted in moving incapacitated inmates
And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam
Mothers of inmates expressing sorrow at imprisonment
And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands
Victims' families showing solidarity and support
Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest
Had a disturbing dream about experiencing an execution
And something cold and black pullin' through my lungs
Sensation of impending death and struggle to breathe
N even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his best
Feeling helpless despite faith
But he don't live on Ellis Unit One
Even with faith, there's no salvation at Ellis Unit One
Swing low
Continued plea for spiritual salvation and release
Swing low
-Swing low and carry me home
-Swing low
Urgent plea to not be abandoned and to be taken home spiritually
Don't let go
-Swing low and carry me home
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