Lyrics: Parchman Farm

 
 
 
 


Call me Johnny, I don’t wanna tell my name
Parchman Farm, Ole Miss, that’s where I grew up
used to play with cons wearin’ them striped pants
cause my daddy was the Parchman executioner

We listened to his executions on prison radio
could hear his voice “Prisoner strapped to chair”
then he let the gas pour into the chamber
and the clock kept tickin’ though time was standing still
yeah, the clock kept tickin’ though time was standing still

Chorus:
He used to say “Son, the Bible says ‘An eye for an eye’”
and “One man has gotta do it”
he really believed in this God’s country

As Carter’d left and Reagan came, times changed
dad told us ‘bout Limpin’ Jimmy who’d held his breath
whose fingernails had scratched the leather off the chair
it made dad stay in bed for days, but he got a medal of merit
yeah, he got his medal of merit

Chorus:
He still said “Son, the Bible says ‘An eye for an eye’”
and “One man has gotta do it”
he really believed in this God’s country

One night I found dad lying on the stairs
eyes wide open, he seemed to listen real hard
and he whispered “Boy, don’t you hear the shufflin’ steps?
That’s Limpin’ Jimmy, who held his breath”

And he yelled out Jimmy’s name
he yelled out Jimmy’s name

A few weeks later dad quit his job
And you’d probably meet him now at Jimmy’s grave
Just standin’ there and cursin’ his name,
but when I ask him he replies “I’d do it all over again,
yeah, I’d do it all over again”

Chorus:
So he still says “Son, the Bible says ‘An eye for an eye’”
and “One man has gotta do it”
he really believes in this God’s country
he really believes

Chris – vocals, acoustic guitar
Patrik – electric guitars
Gerald – bass
Gerhard – drums, percussion

Michael Hanf – organ