Here To Eternity

(album: Every Beat Of My Heart - 1986)

On a hot summer's night
In the year of '75
Jimmy Doyle took his child bride
Amanda, for a drive
She was only seventeen
He just lived to see her smile
Their commitment to each other
Burned like a forest fire

Otis on the radio singing "Stand By Me"
As a trooper pulled them over
And said Jimmy where you been
Someone matching your description
Has just robbed the liquor store
Amanda said, "He's been with me"
But they weren't listening anymore
Down at Precinct Number Five
They questioned Jimmy through the night
The sheriff said, "He's gotta stand trial"
Armed robbery is the charge
Amanda said "This cannot be"
Gonna stay right here until you set him free

And I love him
Here to eternity
Forever
Unto eternity
Oh God, gave me something
I must hold on to
Gonna hold on him
No matter what you do

The old courthouse was crowded
As the judge reviewed the case
In a year of re-election
He was desperate to impress
Innocent or guilty
He saw an opportunity
To send Jimmy down for life
To the Penitentiary

Disbelief and anger
As they dragged him away
In a cell below the courthouse
They beat him like a slave
But his use of martial arts
Struck a blow for liberty
Felled a guard with a fist of iron
And killed him instantly

All the press surrounded Amanda
Coming down the courthouse steps
Pleading for her young man's life
And in a moment seen by millions
She bowed her head and cried
Show my man some mercy
He's the father of my child

I love him
Here to eternity
Forever
Unto eternity
Oh God gave me something
I must hold on to
Gonna hold on him
No matter what you do
I love him
Here to eternity

Jimmy Doyle appeared again
In a second public trail
For the murder of a prison guard
They sentenced him to die
But Amanda with her long red hair
Made one last plea
As the court fell into silence
She cried out desperately

This man of mine is innocent
As one day I shall prove
It's an open case of self-defense
All this circumstantial evidence
You place before your court
Has robbed me of my husband
Forget I will not

I love him
Here to eternity
Forever
Unto eternity
Oh goodbye my Jimmy
'Til we meet again
In a better world than this
I swear I'll clear your name
'Cause I love you
Here to eternity