Here I am, oh my time’s rolling slowly by
21 years old, waiting on my turn to die
Every minute Lord, every minute seems like five
And if it wasn’t for the window,
I’d wonder if the world outside was alive
Yeah, smokin cigarettes, drinkin’ coffee
And waiting on my last meal, I try to pretend
I try to pretend but this cell is much too real
Oh, I should have left that chick alone
I curse the day, I curse the day she was born, now
Oh the old men they tell me
they tell me love is akin to hate
but before I die, I just gotta get it straight now
Crush out my cigarette, throw away my coffee and scream
Ahhhhhhh, I don’t wanna die
Oh, I don’t wanna die
Oh, it’s too late they’ll be comin’ for me soon
It’s too late to pray, and anyway, God can’t see this room
I’m startin’ to sweat now, It won’t be long now
I can see
They’re gonna put me in that chair
They’re gonna put me in that chair and that’s how the end’s gonna be
Yeah, it’s gettin cold, it’s gettin colder
And I’m startin’ to scream, Ahh I don’t wanna die
Don’t leave me here to die
Facing Mortality Behind Bars
“Death Row” by Bob Seger is a haunting exploration of a young man’s final hours as he awaits execution. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of isolation and regret, with the protagonist counting down the minutes, reflecting on decisions that led to his fate. The repeated longing not to die and the sensory details—smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee—underscore the raw humanity of someone facing the ultimate consequence. Seger brings a chilling realism to the narrative, capturing the psychological torment and the desperate desire for answers and forgiveness in the face of inevitable death.
Song Credits
Artist: Bob Seger
Songwriter: Bob Seger