My name is Billy Austin, I'm 29 years old I was born in Oklahoma Quarter Cherokee I'm told Don't remember Oklahoma It's been so long since I left home Seems I've always been in prison Like I've always been alone Didn't mean to hurt nobody Never thought I'd cross that line I held up a filling station Just like I'd done a hundred times The kid done like I told him He lay face down on the floor I guess I'll never know what made me turn And walk back through that door The shot rang out like thunder My ears rang like a bell But no one come running So I called the cops myself A court appointed lawyer Couldn't look me in the eye He just stood and closed his briefcase When they sentenced me to die But now the waiting's over As my final hours drag by I ain't about to tell you that I don't deserve to die But could you pull that switch yourself, sir With a sure and steady hand And could you still tell yourself, sir That you're better than I am My name is Billy Austin, I'm 29 years old I was born in Oklahoma Quarter Cherokee, I'm told