* J A I L *













* J A I L *


JUNE

2006












  • Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash - (1956)


  • 21 Days in Jail - Magic Sam - (1958)


  • Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair - Bessie Smith - (1927)


  • Prisoner's Song - Warren Storm - (1958)


  • Back on the Chain Gang - The Pretenders - (1982)


  • Jail Bait - Andre Williams - (1956)


  • Prison Wall Blues - Cannon's Jug Stompers - (1930)


  • Columbus Stockade Blues - Kenny Lane & His Bull Dogs - (1960)


  • Nine Pound Steel - Joe Simon - (1968)


  • Okie's in the Pokie - Jimmy Patton - (1960)


  • Christmas in Prison - John Prine - (1973)


  • In the Jailhouse Now - Sir Douglas Quintet - (1965)


  • Jailbird Love Song - The Mississippi Sheiks - (1930)


  • Riot in Cell Block #9 - Wanda Jackson - (1960)


  • Sing Me Back Home - Merle Haggard - (1968)


  • Last Meal - Hurricane Harry - (1956)









The sixth episode of Bob Dylan's

"Theme Time Radio Hour"

was about the topic 'Jail'.









Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash

I hear the train a comin', it's rolling 'round the bend

And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when

I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on

But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone

When I was just a baby my mama told me, son

Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns

But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die

When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry

I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car

They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars

Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free

But those people keep a movin', and that's what tortures me

Well if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine

I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line

Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay

And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away









Sing Me Back Home
Merle Haggard

The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom

And I stood up to say good bye like all the rest

And I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell

'Let my guitar playing friend do my request.

Let him sing me back home with a song I used to hear

Make my old memories come alive

Take me away and turn back the years

Sing Me Back Home before I die.'

I recall last Sunday morning a choir from off the street

Came to sing a few old Gospel songs

And I heard him tell the singers 'There's a song my mama sang.

Could I hear it once before you move along?

Won't you sing me back home with a song I used to hear

Make my old memories come alive

Take me away and turn back the years

Sing Me Back Home before I die

Sing Me Back Home before I die.'