I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
 & I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell
 "Let my guitar-playin' friend do my request"

 "Let him sing me back home, a song I used to hear
 Make my old mem'ries come to life
 Take me away & turn back the years
 Sing me back home before I die"

 I recall a Sunday morning a choir from on the street
 Came in to sing a few old gospel songs
 & I heard him tell the singer "There's a song my mama sang
 Could I hear it once before you move along?"

 "Won't you sing me back home, a song I used to hear
 Make my old mem'ries down to lie
 Take me away & turn back the years
 Sing me back home before I die