My name is Billy Austin, I'm 29 years old
I was born in Oklahoma, a quarter of Cherokee I'm told
Don't remember Oklahoma, it's been so long since I left home
Seem like I've always been in prison, like I've always been alone
Didn't mean to hurt nobody, never thought I'd cross that line
I held up the filling station, like I'd done a hundred times
Kid done like I told him, he laid face down on the floor
Guess I'll never know what made me turn and walk back through that door
The shot rang out like thunder, my ears rang like a bell
No one came running, so I called the cops myself
Took the time to get there, and I guess I could run
I know I should be feeling something, but I never shed a tear once
I didn't even make the papers, cause I only killed one man
But my trial was over quickly, when the long hard wait began
The court appointed a lawyer, couldn't look me in the eye
He just stood up and closed his briefcase, and they sent him to die
But now that waiting's over, it's the final hour drags by
I ain't about to tell you that I don't deserve to die
There's 27 men here, most of black and brown and poor
Most of them are guilty, but who are you to say for sure?
So when the big creature comes to get me, and they shave off all my hair
Could you take that long walk with me, knowing hell's waiting?
Could you pull that switch yourself, sir, with a sure and steady hand?
Could you still tell yourself, sir, that you're better than I am?
My name is Billy Austin, and I'm 29 years old
I was born in Oklahoma, a quarter Cherokee, I'm told
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