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Austin Prison Tab

by Johnny Cash


key: 
                                       
They had a warrant out for me all over country  
 
                                        
and I was trying to beat two raps in Idaho, 
 
                                           
I was breaking into a school house sunday morning without warning  
 
                                    
when I saw the sheriff coming for me slow from down below 
 
 
                                                                              
His steel grey eyes were blazing when he saw me  
 
                                       
his hand was on his gun when he rode up 
 
                                         
he said you killed that woman I know you shot her why'd you do it? 
 
                            
I'm taking you to Austin and I'm gonna lock you up 
 
 
                                          
Well he tied me with the plowline the next morning  
 
                                      
and he had me deep in Texas the next day 
 
                                      
A crazy screaming lynchmob waited in streets of Austin 
 
                                     
but he put me in the jailhouse and he threw the key away 
 
 
                                    
a jury found me guilty three months later  
 
                                     
weld evil men with murder in their eyes 
 
                                   
they even took me out and said now show us where you killed her 
 
                                                  
and that wicked judge said now I hereby sentence you to die 
 
                                                                            
But here I am far away from Austin prison my friend the jailor handed me a file 
 
                                                       
now all I want between me and there are alot of friendly people  
 
                                            
and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles and miles