Lyr Req/Add: The Walls of a Prison (Johnny Cash)

Subject: WALLS OF A PRISON
From: NEWFOUNDLANDER
Date: 15 Feb 98 - 04:21 PM

This is part of the song. They watch us by sunlight. They watch us by spotlight. But I know a way for a man to go free. Down under my cell, I'm digging a tunnel. The walls of a prison will never hold me.

I think Johnny Cash might have done this song.

Subject: RE: WALLS OF A PRISON
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 01:43 AM

Well, Newfoundlander, I figured any song about a prison would have to be in Cowpie, the country lyrics archive. As would be expected, Cowpie has lots of songs with the word "prison" - but the Digital Tradition right here has lots more. Could it be that, despite the stereotype of country music, that it's us folkies who are the real jailbirds? No luck finding your song, though
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr/Chord Add: THE WALLS OF A PRISON (Johnny Cash)
From: Gene
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 11:37 PM

Johnny Cash wrote THE WALLS OF A PRISON after performing for the inmates at Folsom Prison, California. Based on an original British tune; 'THE UNFORTUNATE RAKE'. Written over one hundred years ago, the same tune was used in the 1890s for the 'THE COWBOY'S LAMENT', also known as 'THE STREETS OF LAREDO'.

THE WALLS OF A PRISON
Words and music by Johnny Cash
As recorded by Johnny Cash on "From Sea to Shining Sea" (Columbia CS-9447, 1967)

I [D] walked in the [A7] big yard to [D] feel the warm [A7] sunshine.
A [D] ninety-nine [G] year man stepped [D] over to [A7] me.
He [D] offered a [A7] smoke and he [D] said as I [A7] rolled it:
"To-[D] morrow I'm [G] goin' to break [A7] out and go [D] free.

CHORUS: [D] "They watch us by sunlight; [G] they watch us by spotlight,
But [D] I know a way for a [E7] man to go [A7] free.
Down [D] under my cell, I'm [G] diggin' a tunnel.
The [D] walls of a prison will [A7] never hold [D] me."

I told him that I'd have no part of his scheming.
My time would be over one year from today.
His eyes blazed with fire and he looked right through me.
Bitter, but broken, again he did say: CHORUS

Next morning at breakfast, the old man was missing.
Then we all heard the rifles, high up on the wall.
He'd gone through the tunnel, just like he had promised,
And they said he was cryin', when they saw him fall. CHORUS

Subject: RE: WALLS OF A PRISON
From: NEWFOUNDLANDER
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 03:45 PM

THANKS GENE FOR THIS SONG AND ALSO FOR ROSES ARE RED.

Subject: RE: WALLS OF A PRISON
From: GUEST,maple_leaf_boy
Date: 16 Nov 08 - 12:51 AM

This is a good song. I have it in the book "Johnny Cash: The Songs",
(a lyric book of just songs and poems that he wrote)
I first heard it when I watched the 1969 film Johnny Cash: The Man,
His World, His Music. (I remember that the second verse wasn't played in the movie, though).

When he sings "But I know a way for a man to go free", I'm reminded of
the line "I first set my sights on Sweet Molly Malone", from
Cockles and Mussels. (But just in the melody of that particular
phrase).