album cover
Billy Austin
2,542
Rock
Billy Austin was released on July 1, 1990 by Geffen* as a part of the album The Hard Way
album cover
Release DateJuly 1, 1990
LabelGeffen*
Melodicness
Acousticness
Valence
Danceability
Energy
BPM71

Music Video

Music Video

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Performer
The Dukes
The Dukes
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Producer
Joe Hardy
Joe Hardy
Producer
Mark Coddington
Mark Coddington
Engineer

Lyrics

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 like 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
Like I'd done a hundred times
The kid done like I told him
And he lay face down on the floor
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
No one came running
So I called the cops myself
Took their time to get there
And I guess I could have run
I knew I should be feeling something
But I never shed tear one
I didn't even make the papers
'Cause I only killed one man
But my trial was over quickly
Then the long hard wait began
Court-appointed lawyer
Couldn't look me in the eye
He just stood up, closed his briefcase
When they sentenced me to die
And now my waiting's over
As the final hour drags by
I ain't about to tell you
That I don't deserve to die
There's 27 men here
Mostly black and brown and poor
And most of 'em are guilty
Who are you to say for sure?
So when the preacher comes to get me
And they shave off all my hair
Could you take that long walk with me
Knowing hell's waiting there?
Could you pull that switch yourself, sir
With a sure steady hand?
Would you still tellyourself, 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
Written by: Steve Earle
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