Story Behind The Song
Since 2001, over 20 convictions in Dallas County have been overturned following review of DNA evidence, far and away the most of any county in the U.S.. In many cases, the wrongly-convicted individuals had been imprisoned over 20 years before they were released. Some of the DAs of the original cases are apologetic, and some are not. Prosecutors say that these wrongful convictions undoubtedly still happen all of the time, typically because of mistaken eyewitness testimony. DNA evidence is not always available, meaning that many people who are wrongly convicted may never go free. I find this all staggering--maybe haunting--to contemplate. Innocent people losing large portions of their lives because of society's mistake--our mistake. Victims of crimes being denied justice and being denied closure because their assailants were never prosecuted. And mostly I'm troubled by the sheer magnitude of this. One person spent 27 years in prison before it was found that he was innocent. Think back to where you were 27 years ago, and then erase everything that has happened from that point forward.
Song Description
A man is wrongfully imprisoned, and spends almost 23 years in prison before he is freed.
| Song Length |
4:11 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana |
Lyrics
In Your Name (a song about wrongful imprisonment)
The truth they wanted was a lie
For years they said I must atone
And since I couldn't say those words
They wouldn't let me go back home
Then five years after hope had died
Some lawyers spoke of DNA
They fought to have the testing done
I knew just what that test would say
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
Don't tell me that you're not to blame
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
For what they did was in your name
The lawyer finally forced the test
The judge announced that I was "free"
A word I barely comprehend
A word that came too late for me
The DA looked me in the eyes
And told me that mistakes are rare
He said my case was such a shame
But still the courts are just and fair
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
Don't tell me that you're not to blame
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
For what they did was in your name
Eight thousand three hundred fifty one
Eight thousand three hundred fifty one
Eight thousand three hundred fifty one
Days
Stolen
From me
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
Don't tell me that you're not to blame
Dallas, Texas, burn in hell
For what they did was in your name
(fade)
What they did was in your name
What they did was in your name
What they did was in your name
What they did was in your name