Lightning
Eric Church Lyrics

These four walls of Farnworth
The walls of the prison in Farnworth are confining me and limiting my freedom.

Are closin' in on me
I feel trapped and overwhelmed by the walls that surround me.

My final meal's over
I have just had my last meal before my scheduled execution.

They're gonna set me free
I will be released from the prison through execution by the state.

I can feel the fire's a burnin'
The electric chair is being prepared for my execution and I can feel the heat rising.

As the devil guards my door
I feel as if death is looming and the devil is watching over me.

I hit my knees in search of Jesus
I pray for salvation and forgiveness from God as I am on my knees.

On a cold jailhouse floor
I am kneeling on the cold and hard floor of my cell.

I see the preacher's eyes
I make eye contact with the preacher who has come to pray for me before my execution.

As my daughter cries
My daughter is present to witness my execution and she is weeping.

When they strap me in this chair
I am being strapped into the electric chair for my execution.

Lord, I hope she forgives me
I pray that my daughter will forgive me for the mistakes I made in life.

For livin' my life this way
I regret how I have lived my life, leading me to this inevitable end.

Tonight I ride the lightning
I will die by electrocution, known as "riding the lightning."

Every life owes a death
Death is a natural part of life, as stated in the Bible.

That's what the Bible says
The Bible teaches us that death is inevitable for all living things.

I owe mine to this state
I am owed death by the state for a crime I committed.

For shootin' that boy to death
I took a life and am being punished for it through the death penalty.

He was reachin' for his gun
The boy I killed was threatening me with a gun when I shot him.

Now his Momma sits there smilin'
The mother of the boy I killed is present at my execution and appears to find satisfaction in seeing me die.

As the boss yells "Roll on one"
The executioner gives the order to begin the process of electrocution.

A hungry blue eyed baby cryin'
I became desperate and robbed a store to feed my hungry child.

Made me rob that store
My desperation and need to provide for my child pushed me to commit a crime.

An' as that boy lay there dyin'
I killed a boy during the robbery and he is dying before my eyes.

I dropped my pistol on the floor
I became overwhelmed by the situation and let go of my weapon.

Yeah, I'd take it all back but there's nothin' I can do
I deeply regret my actions, but there is no way to undo what has happened.

Now I'm flyin'
As I die, I feel as if I am leaving my body and ascending into the air.

Up an' out of here
I feel as if I am leaving the prison and my body behind.

I close my eyes an' slowly rise
As I leave my body, I feel as if I am peacefully and slowly ascending.

Let my body leave this chair
I am ready to move on from my physical form and life on earth.

Lord I hope you forgive me
I pray for God's forgiveness and mercy as I pass into the afterlife.

Yeah, tonight I ride the lightning
My execution will be by electrocution, known as riding the lightning.

To my final restin' place
I will be taken to my final resting place - likely a cemetery - after my execution.