On a hot summer's night In the year of '75 Jimmy Doyle took his child bride Amanda, for a drive She was only seventeen He just lived to see her smile Their commitment to each other Burned like a forest fire
Otis on the radio singing "Stand By Me" As a trooper pulled them over And said Jimmy where you been Someone matching your description Has just robbed the liquor store Amanda said "He's been with me" But they weren't listening anymore
Down at Precinct Number Five They questioned Jimmy through the night The sheriff said "He's gotta stand trial" Armed robbery is the charge Amanda said "This cannot be" Gonna stay right here until you set him free
And I love him Here to eternity Forever Unto eternity Oh God gave me something I must hold on to Gonna hold on him No matter what you do
The old courthouse was crowded As the judge reviewed the case In a year of re-election He was desperate to impress Innocent or guilty He saw an opportunity To send Jimmy down for life To the Penitentiary
Disbelief and anger As they dragged him away In a cell below the courthouse They beat him like a slave But his use of martial arts Struck a blow for liberty Felled a guard with a fist of iron And killed him instantly
All the press surrounded Amanda Coming down the courthouse steps Pleading for her young man's life And in a moment seen by millions She bowed her head and cried Show my man some mercy He's the father of my child
I love him Here to eternity Forever Unto eternity Oh God gave me something I must hold on to Gonna hold on him No matter what you do I love him Here to eternity
Jimmy Doyle appeared again In a second public trail For the murder of a prison guard They sentenced him to die But Amanda with her long red hair Made one last plea As the court fell into silence She cried out desperately
This man of mine is innocent As one day I shall prove It's an open case of self defense All this circumstantial evidence You place before your court Has robbed me of my husband Forget I will not
I love him Here to eternity Forever Unto eternity Oh goodbye my Jimmy 'Til we meet again In a better world than this I swear I'll clear your name 'Cos I love you Here to eternity