Lyrics From the Cell Door to the Gallows - William Elliott Whitmore

From the Cell Door to the Gallows

Well, I heard 6 shots ring out in succession
And it broke the night air like a china plate
And in my knife blade I saw my own reflection
And the devil was at the front gate
And just when you wish that you were dead
Oh may the light shine down upon your head
Well, it’s a long walk from the cell door to the gallows
It’s a long walk for a prisoner to take
And when your last resort is pray to the lord
That the noose is weak enough to break
Oh shine, shine, shine, shine, shine down
Oh shine down upon my head
Well there’s certain things you just can’t escape from
No matter how far and how fast you decide to run
And when the last thing to take has been taken
And the last prayer has rolled off your tongue