They took me in one summer night, Said my hands were stained with crime, I swore before that courtroom crowd, I never crossed that line. But the jury had their minds made up, Before I took the stand, Now I watch the sun fade through these bars, An innocent man. Letters come from Momma, She says she’s a prayin’ still, Sends a Bible and a picture From her house upon the hill. The preacher says that Jesus saves, But I don’t understand, Why He’s lettin’ me grow old this way, An innocent man. The walls don’t listen, the cold don’t care, My name’s been lost to the midnight air, The truth got buried with the blood and sand, And I’ll die in this cell, An innocent man. There’s a boy out there who bears my name, He’s grown and on his own, He don’t remember Daddy’s face, Just the stories he’s been shown. If someday he should find the proof, I hope he’ll understand, That justice never came for me, An innocent man. The reaper came this morning, Said, “Son, your time has come,” I bowed my head and whispered low, “Lord, thy will be done.” The truth will rise like morning light, Across this darkened land, And they’ll carve it on my stone someday— Here lies an innocent man. The walls don’t listen, the cold don’t care, My soul’s been freed to the open air, The truth shines brighter than the chains ever can, Now I’m finally home— An innocent man.
