[Verse 1]
All night long, I tried but couldn't sleep
Tried to be a man, tried not to weep
Now, I hear the turning of the key
Silently, the guard motions to me

[Verse 2]
Now, I realize the end is near
And I find I can't control my fear
As I pass the guard, I start to cry
And I whisper, "I don't want to die"

[Verse 3]
Then, from Death Row comes a whisper
"Charlie, be a man"
And I scream, "Just wait 'til your turn then see if you can"

[Verse 4]
Down the hall, they push and carry me
Blind with fright and tears won't let me see
Through a door, and then I stop and stare
'Cause I see it, there it is, the chair

[Verse 5]
Then they strap me in and turn to leave
And the Prison Chaplain says, "Believe
Faith in God will cause Him to forgive"
I have faith, but still I, want to live
[Verse 6]
Suddenly, I'm paralyzed
This must be the end
My body jerks and trembles
As they turn it on again

[Verse 7]
Quickly as it came, the pain is gone
I hear music, someone sings a song
Suddenly, I seem to float through air
Something's wrong 'cause I'm still in the chair

[Verse 8]
In the room, there's hardly any light
And I see the doctor dressed in white
I hear every word it's plainly said
Did I hear them say, "This man is dead?"
Did I hear them say, "This man is dead?"