From the Cell Door to the Gallows - William Elliott Whitmore

Well, I heard 6 shots ring out in succession

And it broke the night air like a china plate

And in my knife blade I saw my own reflection

And the devil was at the front gate

And just when you wish that you were dead

Oh may the light shine down upon your head

Well, it’s a long walk from the cell door to the gallows

It’s a long walk for a prisoner to take

And when your last resort is pray to the lord

That the noose is weak enough to break

Oh shine, shine, shine, shine, shine down

Oh shine down upon my head

Well there’s certain things you just can’t escape from

No matter how far and how fast you decide to run

And when the last thing to take has been taken

And the last prayer has rolled off your tongue