They sent me to this prison

For a crime I did outside

I killed a man and didn't hang

But I might as well have died

For every minute that I live

I know that death may call

You see his brother's here with me

Right inside these walls

And I don't even know his face

But I'm sure that he knows mine

The eyes of death are watchin' me

Just bidin' his time

(Oh Lord, he takes his time)

Each night they slam my lonely cell

And turn the lights down low

And I can't close my eyes to sleep

Because somewhere I know

He's planning how he'll drive the knife

Into my poundin' heart

And Lord this just not knowing

When will tear a man apart

He's just a number not a name

And you'll get me from behind

The eyes of death are watchin' me

Just bidin' his time

(Oh Lord, he takes his time)

Sometimes I think I'll try to walk

And face the deadly guns

I'd either die or I'd be free

To leave this place and run

This man he swore to make me pay

But he'd rather see me cry

So he'll just play around with me

While I wait to die

No prison ever held the man

With a sentence just like mine

The eyes of death are watchin' me

Just bidin' his time

(Oh Lord, he takes his time)

He's bidin' his time

(Oh Lord, he takes his time)

He's just bidin' his time