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 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."
And I scream, "Just wait till 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 want to live.
Suddenly, I'm paralyzed, this must be the end.
My body jerks and trembles as they turn it on again.
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,
now I see a doctor dressed in white.
I hear every word, it's plainly said.
Did I hear them say, "This man is dead?"
Did I hear them say, "This man is dead?