[Verse 1: Terry Taylor]
I have dark dreams of that murderous night
I see the hammer swing and the blood run bright
Then the sky rolls back in a blinding light
And I cannot hide from the master's sight
[Chorus: Terry Taylor]
I don't ask to be spared the criminal's shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman's rope and the fire's flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain
[Verse 2: Michael Roe]
I had my good reasons to do the deed
For a lover's treason sows the devil's seed
And revenge is the fire that dragon breathes
And murder's the madness that hatred breeds
[Chorus: Terry Taylor]
I don't ask to be spared the criminal's shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman's rope and the fire's flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain
[Verse 3: Derri Daugherty]
Come this very morning when the rooster crows
Only the preacher will pray for my soul
They'll hang me high and bury me low
In a Potter's Field where the cold wind blows
[Chorus: Terry Taylor]
I don't ask to be spared the criminal's shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman's rope and the fire's flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain