Ellis Unit One

Song: Ellis Unit One Artist: Steve Earle Capo 4 Intro: F G C F F G C C Verse 1: C I was fresh out of the service F It was back in ‘82 C G F I raised some Cain when I came back to town C I left to be all I could be F Come home without a clue C G F Married Dawn and had to settle down

Verse 2: C So I hired on at the prison F Guess I always knew I would C G F Just like my dad and both my uncles done C And I worked on every cell block F Now, and things're goin' good C G C But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One Chorus: F G Swing low C F Swing low G C Swing low and carry me home Instrumental: F G C F F G C C Verse 3: C F Now, my Daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls C G F And how they used to strap ‘em in the chair C F The kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer ‘n all C G F When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air Verse 4: C I guess folks just got too civilized F Old Sparky's gatherin' dust C G F ‘Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun C Since they got that injection now F They don't mind as much, I guess C G C They just put ‘em down on Ellis Unit One Chorus: F G Swing low C F Swing low G C Swing low and carry me home Instrumental: F G C F F G C C Verse 5: C Well, I've seen ‘em fight like lions, boys F I've seen 'em go like lambs C G F And I've helped to drag ‘em when they could not stand C F And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam C G C I've seen the victim's family's holdin' hands Verse 6: C F Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest C G F And something cold and black pumped through my lungs C F Even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his best C G C But he don't live on Ellis Unit One Chorus: F G Swing low C F Swing low G C Swing low and carry me home F G Swing low C F Don’t let go F G F C Swing low and carry me home