Four Walls Of Raiford

Album: Legend (1987)
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  • Well them four walls of Raiford, closing in on me
    Doin' three to five hard labor, for armed robbery
    I had two years behind me, but I could not wait the time
    Everytime I thought about it, well I died some more inside

    And I had stripes on my back, memories that hurt
    For the only time I seen sunshine is when I hit the dirt
    Diggin' ditches for the chain gang, sleepin' in the cold
    Oh Lord please forgive me for I could not wait no more

    [Chorus]
    And I'm comin' home to see you Jesus
    Well it feels so close this time
    Please take mercy on this soldier
    From the Florida-Georgia line

    When they find me they must kill me
    Oh Jesus save my soul
    I can't go back down to Raiford
    I can't take that anymore

    Well these last few years behind me
    Oh Lord, have been so sad
    I fought proudly for my country when the times were bad
    Now they say I'm guilty, when they find me I must die
    Only me and Jesus know that I never stole a dime

    [Chorus]

    Well when Vietnam was over there was no work here for me
    I had a pretty wife awaitin and two kids I had to feed
    Well I'm one of America's heroes and when they shoot me down
    Won't you fly old Glory proudly, put my medals in the ground

    And I'm comin' home to see you Jesus
    Well it feels so close this time
    Please take mercy on this soldier
    From the Florida-Georgia line

    When they find me they must kill me
    Oh Jesus save my soul
    I can't go back down to Raiford
    I can't take that anymore Writer/s: JEFFREY S. CARLISI, RONNIE VAN ZANT
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Jennylogan from OhioOne of their greatest songs & a lot of people don't know it
  • Pepieux Rich from FranceI believe it was based on a true story about a black Vietnam war hero who was wrongly accused of armed robbery. Typical Ronnie writing a song about something that touched his heart
  • Mattnewman from Niagara CanadaYes I shed a tear,the latest DVD which played that song reminded me of Ronnie's brilliance and brought back tons of memories of Ronnie, his lyrics and the best band to me. All you southern boys must know Canada loves Skynyrd.
  • R from Fulton, NyWhenever he gets to the part "when I die, fly ol' glory over me, and the medals tossed in the grave" (paraphrased), does anyone else shed a tear?
  • Larry from Chicago, IlMy mother spent 3 years there...accessory to armed robbery 1955-58...I inquired and they sent me her mug shot...#55220....she was just havin' fun I guess
  • James from Clermont, Flthey probably chose raiford as the setting because its the maximum security pen. with death row and all. theres only 2 of those in fl and the song wouldnt sound as good as the the four walls of union.
  • Steve from Alexandria, VaRonnie Van Zant once said in an interview that pretty much everyone they grew up with was either dead or in prison. The prison he was referring to was Raiford do to the fact that it is in close proximity to Jacksonville, FL.
  • Randy from Saint Cloud, MnIt was actually Jeff Carlise from 38 Special that plaid the slide guitar on this song!
  • John from Welch, WvClassic Skynyrd
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InAbsolutely destroys me to listen to this song that was actually an unreleased demo until years after the plane crash that claimed Ronny, Steve, and Cassie.
    Beautiful slide work on this, Ronny's lyrics - which were ALWAYS perfectly clear unlike most other singers - just club you into submission.
    Ronny's cultural southern tradition of respect for war veterans shows through clearly on this one.
    btw...I have long thought that this and the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" have a lot in common lyrically.
    Certainly both are not the most upbeat tunes ever!
    btw...was it Allen, Gary, Steve, or Ed who did the slide on this?
    I will take a shot in the dark and say it was probably Allen.
  • James Thompson from Gray, GaThe music fact is WRONG!the lyrics are clear that the narrator states that "only me and Jesus know that I never stole a dime". These people need to get their facts straight if they have a website like this.
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiIs this song based on a true story? What happened to the man after he broke out of Raiford? Did they catch him?
  • Jenna Madsen from Eureka!, CaIt is a classic, i must agree. the lyrics tell a good story.
  • Kyle from Ozark, ArOne of Lynyrd Skynyrd's best and least played songs a real classic and must have for any blues fan
see more comments

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