I was on a prison train bound through Tennessee
An officer, one other man, and me
But I?will?slip away from?here
In the dark of a Southern?night
Or I would hang in Texas, come the light

All that?stands?between?a gallows death?and being free
Is?the iron ring that holds my shackle key
And I ain't ever killed a man, but I would dig down deep
And find the strength to choke him should he sleep

I won’t face the gallows pole based on lies you'd said
That I forced my way unwelcome in your bed
You flirted with the jury
And they fell for all your charms
The same way that I fell into those arms

You described the prayers you cried and the man that you saw flee
And that he looked an awful lot like me
And I knew my life was over, when the judge reached for the helve
So I memorized his face with the other twelve

Oh, don't lay your pretty eyes on me
Oh, don’t lay your pretty eyes on me
'Cause you're flirting with the devil
And that's one thing you don't need

Being brave is easy when there's nothing left to lose
And all you need's a spark to light the fuse
So I'll wrap my hands around his throat and I’ll steal away his breath
And I will take new purpose from his death

And you can bet your pretty smile before I’m finally through
That I'll take everyone you ever knew
When all their pleas fall silent, as a debt for all your lies
Then I’ll come dim the lights out in your eyes
I'll come dim the lights out in your eyes

Oh, don't lay your pretty eyes on me
Oh, don't lay your pretty eyes on me
’Cause you were flirting with the devil
And that's one thing you don't need