AWAITING THE CHAIR
(Carter)

Wilf 'Montana Slim' Carter - 1934


I'm sitting here waiting, my heart's in despair
Three days and three hours, and then it's a chair
I spoke to my lawyer, he just shook his head
The Governor won't help you, "No pardon" he said

I knew I was guilty, but what could I do
She told me she loved him and that we were through
I grabbed my revolver, half crazy with hate
I gave him three bullets and sealed my own fate

If he went to Heaven, that wonderful place
Send me below where I won't see his face
Buck home in Noel, Kansas, it's suppertime there
Mother is dusting the old bacon chair

Her eyes they are weeping, but what is the use
They read in the paper where I'm getting the juice
Back home there is sunsine as yellow as gold
Here in this jailhouse it is gloomy and cold

Back home birds are singing in their leafy bowers
All I can hear is three days and three hours
Three days of more waiting, three days of more fear
I wish I could stretch them, each day to a year

The Warden is friendly, he is not to blame
He's doing his duty, it is all in the game
He'll rip up my pad leg and shave off my hair
When the juice hits me I soon will be there

My story is ending, don't fall for a skirt
Because in the end they'll most all do you dirt
Don't fall for their kisses, their faces so fair
You'll end like I did, just awaiting the chair







(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - July 2011)