I Don't Know Why

My name is inmate 195

& I’ve lived on death row all my life

Born just to die

& ohhhh

I don’t know why

My mother is an inmate too

Been in the system through and through

She’s been in for some time

But ohhhhh

I can’t say why

I don’t know who my father is

But with my mothers job there were many before him

I’m one in a long line

But ohhhh

I don’t know why

& all I’ve known

Is confusion and fear

Chilled down to bone

The end is near

I’m losing the fight

& ohhhh

I don’t know why

I’m in the loudest prison cell

The closest one can get to hell

I’m scared out of my mind

& ohhhh

I don’t know why

I don’t have much longer to live

My higher purpose is to give

I’m pleading for my life

But ohhhhh

I don’t know why

They put the knife up to my neck

& at the end of the day collect their check

I’ve lived such a short life

& ohhhh

I don’t know why

& all I’ve known

Is confusion and fear

Chilled down to bone

The end is near

I’m losing the fight

& ohhhh

I don’t know why

I was born the same day that I died

I was an infant all my life

Sold off for a price

& ohhhh

I never knew why