Ellis Unit One
     Steve Earle, "Sidetracks", 2002
     --words and music by Steve Earle

from "The Farrago Sessions", 2006, LineLevel Music


I was fresh out of the service
It was back in '82
I raised some cane when I come back to town
Meant to be all I can be
Come home without a clue
Married Dawn and had to settle down

So I hired on at the prison
Guess I always knew I would
Just like my dad and both my uncles done
And I worked on every cell block
Now, things're goin' good
Then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One

	Swing low
	Swing low
	Swing low and carry me home

Now my daddy used to talk about those long nights at the walls
How they used to strap 'em in the chair
And the kids down from the college yeah they'd bring their beer and all
When the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air

Yeah I guess folks just got too civilized with Sparky's gatherin' dust
And no one wants to touch a smokin' gun
They got the injection now
Don't mind as much, I guess
They just put 'em down on Ellis Unit One

	Swing low
	Swing low
	Swing low and carry me home

Yeah, I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys
I've seen 'em go like lambs
I've helped to drag 'em when they could not stand
And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam
And I've seen the victims' families holdin' hands

Last night I dreamed I woke up with straps across my chest
And something cold and black all through my lungs
Even Jesus couldn't save me though I know He did His best
But He don't live on Ellis Unit One

	Swing low
	Swing low
	Swing low and carry me home

	Swing low
	Swing low
	Swing low and carry me home

	And carry me home








ELLIS UNIT ONE
(STEVE EARLE)

     STEVE EARLE IS A NATIONAL TREASURE THAT NOT
ENOUGH FOLKS SEEM TO BE AWARE OF. SURE HIS
VOICE HAS MORPHED INTO AN ACQUIRED TASTE (BUT
ONE DEFINITELY WORTH ACQUIRING) BUT HIS SONG.
WRITING IS ALMOST ALWAYS DEAD ON

MARC LEE SHANNON AND I SOMETIMES DO A
VERSION OF STEVE'S "SOMEDAY" IN CONCERT AND
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY TO CHOOSE THAT ONE
OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER EARLE TUNES FOR THIS
PROJECT BUT I KEPT COMING BACK TO THIS ONE

I FIRST HEARD THIS TUNE ON THE SOUNDTRACK OF
THE FILM "DEAD MAN WALKING" AND THE NARRATIVE
HIT ME HARD. IT'S CLASSIC STEVE EARLE: SIMPLE, DIRECT,
THOUGHT PROVOKING, AND RIGHT ON THE MONEY.









MICHAEL STANLEY: LEAD & BACKING VOCALS, ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC GUITARS,
      BASS, SYNTHESIZER

BOB PELANDER: PIANO

JENNIFER LEE: VOCALS