Huntsville Prison Rodeo

Well we moved into a bigger house when the old man got a raise 

Still did the same things we did in his old paydays  

Mama packed a picnic lunch, we'd drive up 95 

To the Huntsville Prison Rodeo to see who survived 

 

Well we pulled into the prison gates, the guard dogs searched our truck 

Looking for weapons and contraband 

But they were all outta luck 

Well the stands were full of cowboy hats 

And peewee boots and jeans 

With a 30 ought 6 and mirror shades on the guards lookin' mean 

 

Well at the Huntsville Prison Rodeo those cowboys were adored  

With three seconds of freedom between the hospital and morgue  

Well the buckin' broncs, the pissed off bulls put on one hell of a show 

With desperados riding in the Huntsville Prison Rodeo  

 

Well they ring the bell, they pull the gate, the announcer calls the roll 

Hey y'all this old boys only 22 and doin' life without parole 

And his bull Diablo he's as mean as a snake 

Watch him fly off Diablo's back  

Hear his bones snap and break 

 

Well at the Huntsville Prison Rodeo there ain't too much to lose 

While the warden takes in the money 

But all the prisoners pay the dues 

And for a kid in 1978 I saw some hard ways to go 

Laid out on a stretcher in the Huntsville Prison Rodeo