I've been in prisons twice.

The first time was the State Correctional Institution at Rockview (Pennsylvania).
Our summer baseball league (high school age) was invited to play an exhibition for the inmates.
I have two distinct memories from that day.
1 - Our pitcher had walked two in a row and one of the inmates yelled "Stick a fork in him! He's done!"
It was the first time I had heard that expression. I thought he meant it.
2 - We had lunch with the prisoners.
It was the worst meal I've ever had in my life - to this day.

My 2nd time was the Hillsborough Juvenile Detention Center (Tampa, FL).
1977. I was doing solo gigs in bars at the time and was asked by a women's group to come entertain at the Center for their semi-annual visit there.
It was a good night - the guys there were very appreciative and we had fun.
They loved singing along to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"....and "Runaway"...
But the thing I remember most about that night was when a guard walked through about halfway through the show.
The place got so quiet you could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
The change was dramatic. And a bit frightening.

This song is about that night.


EYES

they don't call this a prison
because we're so young
we're not inmates, we're sheep that have strayed
they dress us alike
we wear the same shoes
they feed us three meals a day

   the guard has eyes
   the warden has eyes
   the stone walls and steel bars have eyes
   the devil tracks your every move
   the man in the moon and the stars see, too
   the man in the moon and the stars

the firemen's wives auxillary
come twice a year to call
they're scared, we know it
they try not to show it
why, we're still just boys after all

   the guard has eyes
   the warden has eyes
   the stone walls and steel bars have eyes
   the devil tracks your every move
   the man in the moon and the stars see, too
   the man in the moon and the stars

the night guard walks through
like a thundering god
between steps you hear your cigarette burn
we wait in the dark
for nothing at all
but another day taking its turn

   the guard has eyes
   the warden has eyes
   the stone walls and steel bars have eyes
   the devil tracks your every move
   the man in the moon and the stars see, too
   the man in the moon and the stars



The BAND:
RealTracks in song: ~518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 836:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltCountryRootsy Ev 075 (A:muted)
RealTracks in song: 793:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming ModernCountrySync Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 1167:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


As always, I hope you enjoy it.
Fire away.

floyd

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