Comments on: Songs About Prisoners Waitin’ Around To Die

By: Lezley Norris

Lezley Norris — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:54:33 +0000

Floyd Tolston’s song “Something Special” would definitely fit the list. It’s based on a true story.

By: Jason Bleau

Jason Bleau — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:35:40 +0000

I really am for all the traditional songs.

However I think one neotraditional balled NEEDS to be in here and that is “Lightning” by Eric Church. That is a masterpiece in its own right.

By: Brenda Lynn Baker

Brenda Lynn Baker — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:11:39 +0000

Don’t forget Loretta Lynn’s masterpiece from Van Lear Rose, “Woman’s Prison”!

Check it out on youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8SboJLcWfb4

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:28:56 +0000

“Out Among the Stars” is another good Merle song that would fit the list. Although he’s not on death row, he is waitin’ around to die, after robbing a liquor store…

“But he knows that soon they’ll come with guns a blazing, and already he can feel a great relief.”

By: Brady Vercher

Brady Vercher — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:58:18 +0000

Adam, the metaphorical prison idea actually came up while we were brainstorming, but we decided to focus on literal songs about prisoners awaiting execution. The metaphorical prison suggestion is a good one, although, it could become overly broad.

By: Hollerin' Ben

Hollerin' Ben — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:58:38 +0000

Adam,

I might have considered “Sunday Morning Coming Down” alongside many other songs that feature people in metaphorical prisons that range from heatbreak to alcoholism, but to be considered for this list, the prisoner has to be awaiting execution.

In fact, that’s why I didn’t include “Long Black Veil”, the execution had already occurred.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:38:07 +0000

I would have like to see “Sunday Morning Coming Down” added to the list. I’m sure that suggestion will get its fair share of eye rolls and tongue wags, but if you look at it from an abstract point of view, it is about a man who is imprisoned by his own accord, trapped by loneliness and constantly reminded of others’ freedom as he rots away in his metaphorical cell.

Maybe this is a bit of a stretch, but it might have been refreshing to consider songs that feature people who aren’t imprisoned in a literal sense, but who nevertheless suffer the great pains of isolation that only death can sooth.

By: ccf

ccf — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:15:14 +0000

The story behind Hag’s song is amazing. It was in his biography.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:58:20 +0000

Dead Man Walking is my favorite movie of all time. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever been witness to was a speaking engagement by Sister Helen Prejean. Glad to see a reference to that film by another commenter.

Great list! I’d add two songs that I love by artists that are already on here:

Johnny Cash – The Mercy Seat
Porter Wagoner – The Cold Hard Facts of Life

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