The Chair

(album: Today - 1971)

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

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"

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

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

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 wanna live

Suddenly, I'm paralized
This must be the end
My body jerks and trembles
And they turn it on again

As 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

In the room, there's hardly any light
And I see the Doctor dressed in white
I hear every word that's plainly said
Did I hear him say, "This man is dead"