“A Lonely Prison Man,” by Dale Sloss

ID #550368
Michael Unit
2664 FM 2054
Tennessee Colony, TX, 75886

To a prisoner in these walls so grey,
With a trace of light,
Today’s the same as yesterday,
And both as dark as night.

Tomorrow? Well, I guess it’ll be about the same
As all the rest have been.
I’ll get up, exist another day,
Then go to sleep again.

Oh, I know they say we have no feelings,
That we can’t hurt or laugh of cry,
But you could flood a mighty river
With the tears that have filled these eyes.

I’ve seen one man take his own life,
One more lay down and die;
I guess they just couldn’t stand
The loneliness inside.

I thank the Lord in Heaven
For the strength to carry on
For the woman who waits faithfully
And spends lonely nights at home.

For the child who sits weeping,
With a picture in her hand,
It’s a picture of her Daddy,
A lonely prison man.

Oh, I don’t want your pity,
For I’m the one to blame,
But when once again I walk among you,
I’ll not hide my face in shame.

Oh, you may think we’re different,
That you’re not the same as I,
But someday you’ll find the trip’s the same,
It’s just a different train we ride.

I’ve never turned away a hungry man,
Or refused a needy one a ride.
I loved the kids who lived next door,
And hurt when people cried.

Oh, you might think I’m bitter,
But that’s not really the case.
I have no hate for anyone,
I see some good in every face.

No, I don’t claim to be a good man,
But there is some love inside.
And you might recall, as well for you,
For me, Christ Jesus died.