Austin Prison Song Lyrics and Chords by Johnny Cash
Austin Prison
Written and Recorded by Johnny Cash
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
They had a warrant out for me all over the country
And I was tryin' to beat two raps in Ida
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
ho
I was
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
breakin' into a schoolhouse Sunday
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
mornin' without warnin'
When I
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
saw the sheriff
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
comin' for me
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
slow
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
from down
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
below
His steel grey eyes were
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
blazing when he
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
saw
me
His hand was on his gun when he rode
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
up
He
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
said you killed that woman I know you
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
shot her why'd you do it
I'm
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
takin' you to
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
Austin and I'm
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
gonna
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
lock you
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
up
Well he tied me with a
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
plow line the next
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
mornin'
And he had me deep in Texas the next
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
day
A
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
crazy screamin' lynch mob waited
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
in the streets of Austin
But he
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
put me in the
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
jailhouse and he
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
threw
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
the key
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
away
A jury found me
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
guilty three months
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
later
Twelve evil men with murder in their
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
eye
They
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
even took me out and said now
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
show us where you killed her
And that
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
wicked judge said
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
now I hereby
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
sentence
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
you to
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
die
But here I am far away from
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
Austin
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
prison
My friend the jailer handed me a
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
file
Now
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
all I want between me and there are a
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
G
G#
A
A#
B
lot of friendly people
And
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
miles and miles and
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
miles and miles
And
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
miles and
D7
D#7
E7
F7
F#7
G7
G#7
A7
A#7
B7
C7
C#7
miles and
G
G#
A
A#
B
C
C#
D
D#
E
F
F#
miles
FAQ
Who sang the the song Austin Prison?
- The song Austin Prison was sang by Johnny Cash.
Who is Johnny Cash?
- John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash February 26, 1932 - September 12, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. He was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-like chugging guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark all-black stage wardrobe which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black".Born to poor cotton farmers in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash rose to fame in the burgeoning rockabilly scene in Memphis, Tennessee, after four years in the Air Force. He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash", followed by "Folsom Prison Blues", one of his signature songs. Alongside "Folsom Prison Blues", his other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue", a duet with his future wife June called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding), and railroad songs such as "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, he covered songs by contemporary rock artists of the time his most notable covers were "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails, "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden and, "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode.
Cash is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel sounds. This crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.