A Prisoner’s Lament
Presented to Terry Sims
By Bob Pauley
Verse I It’s been two years since I’ve felt the light of day
When that judge said you’ve a lifetime boy to pay
The view here from my prison cell is but an empty wishing well
For me to wish this wasted life away
Verse II Cause I’m here for murder in the first degree
And yet a spark of hope still flickers inside me
For with that jury’s final word I swear the truth was never heard
Do I die tonight or will they set me free
Chorus I Oh I could climb these walls to freedom and escape this deathly place
But then I’d know no one would listen—deaf ears still haunt my case
Past the guards’ eternal rounds—the barbed wire and barking hounds
But what’s the good of freedom if I can’t show my face
Verse III I was guilty in their eyes before my plea
Yes the governor’s made it clear with his decree
The lights grow dim they test the chair—the smell of death is in the air
But I’m innocent! And that’s what’s killing me
Chorus II Oh I could climb these walls to freedom and escape this deathly place
But then I’d know no one would listen—deaf ears still haunt my case
Past the guards’ eternal rounds—the barbed wire and barking hounds
But my name would still be whispered and I couldn’t show my face
Verse IV It’s been two years since I’ve felt the light of day
When the judge said you’ve a lifetime boy to pay
The lights grow dim they test the chair—the smell of death now fills the air
But I’m innocent! And that’s what’s killing me
Tag
I’m innocent! And that’s what’s killing meRepeat tag and fade…
Words & Music by: Bob Pauley, Susan Stryker & Paul William Scott
Copyright 1999
