Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Dead Man Walking Blues

Dead Man Walking Blues

Dead Man Walking Blues
(Roger Gall, 1998)

My lips are dry. I can't talk.
I've got to steel myself for one last walk.
I can't run with these chains, you see.
There's no hurry. They won't start without me.
Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

You may say, all my life I've been no good.
I would have done better, if only I could.
But up to now, no one noticed me.
Now I see myself on the TV.
Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

My performance may make the news.
But I won't be around, to read the reviews.
Ain't up to me who they invite.
Who will watch my first and last night?
Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

The Good Book may say it but it don't mean it's the truth:
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
I did wrong on that fateful night.
But two wrongs, they won't make it right.
Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

My deed was in the heat of that hour,
But it don't excuse the abuse of my power,
But the cleaner you try to make my death seem,
Just seems to make it more obscene!
Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

Dead man walking, the star of the show.
Dead man walking, away from death row.
Dead man waking, walking slow.

JD