Earle Steve - Ellis Unit One guitar tab

Steve Earle 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

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 A B E A B E

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

Ehey got that injection now

A

They don't mind as much, I guess

E B7 E

Put ‘em down on Ellis Unit One

A B

Swing low

E A

Swing low

B E A B E A B E

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

A B

Swing low

E A

Swing low

B E

Swing low and carry me home

A B

Swing low

E A

Swing low

B E

Swing low and carry me home