Steve Earle

Comments

9 years ago

DrGerbils

WTF are you fools talking about? Ellis Unit 1 of the Texas Department of Corrections is the location of "death row". To the best of my knowledge no terrorist has ever been housed there. It is occupied by men and women facing execution. Statistically speaking, some of them are innocent of the crime they will die for and some of them are sociopaths who would, and may have, killed their mothers. Most fall somewhere in between. Earle's song is about the dehumanizing effect of capitol punishment on those who must carry out the executions.

9 years ago

individualanarchism

I was fresh out of the service, it was back in '82. I raised some Cain when I come back to town. I left to be all I could be come home without a clue. I 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've worked on every cell block now and things are going good but then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One. Swing low, swing low. Swing low and carry me home. Well my Daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls and how they used to strap 'em in the chair. Kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer 'n all. And when the lights went out a cheer rose in the air. Well folks just got too civilized, Sparky's gathering dust cuz no one wants to touch a smokin' gun. Since they got the injection they don't mind as much I guess. They just put 'em down at Ellis Unit One. Swing low, swing low. Swing low and carry me home. Well I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys, 'n seen 'em go like lambs and I 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 victim's family holdin' hands. Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest 'n something' cold 'n black pullin' 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 don't let go. Swing low and carry me home....

10 years ago

Bernell Martin

This song is from the Dead Man Walking sound track from 1995 or 1996. It don't have shit to do with terrorists, know your players history. Steve recorded this after he was released from prison. Do your homework.

10 years ago

Eesa Rahim

Was Steve Earle in Treme & The Wire..?

10 years ago

keithdetroit

the vroys with steve earle

10 years ago

D'Ascoyne

Capital punishment is not worthy a country calling itself a democracy. Shame on USA.

10 years ago

Meagan Johnson

the song isnt about terrorists its about jon nobles

10 years ago

gjc82071

There is another version of this song. "Swing low, swing low" is done in harmony, with another person singing the words an octave lower than Earle. Does anybody know what album that version is on? (or ever even heard that version at all?)

10 years ago

John Red

I don't think S.Earle is talking about Terrorist,it was to a soundtrack to a movie! And Terrorist is a very misuse word by ignorant folks,You Think?

11 years ago

lcflatt21

If you are saying that supermax prisons and punishing terrorists are laudable, I implore you, on behalf of Steve Earle and his fans, to f**k off.

11 years ago

Forky Witherspoon

Lol the degenerates over at DU have linked to this...as if it's supposed to change our minds about supermax prisons and punishing terrorists. Must be bizarre to live in their idiotic little world.