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