I feel the irons on my wrist and lament its come to
this
When they hang me from the gallows tree, "Such as
life," they'll hear me hiss,
I'm not the reddest handed bandit there but I'm the
one who'll take the fall
This smoking gun's been smothered by the long arm of
the law.
The Chaplin says, "The end is started and
Judgement has begun"
Prayers can lead to God's forgiveness for all the
Foolish things you've done
You've got tonight to find some peace of mind before
you leave this world."
I hope and pray that I may never get what I deserve
CHORUS
Take me down to the river Preacher, take me by the
hand
Take me down to the river, Mend the soul of a broken
man,
Drown me in forgiveness wash these bloody hands of
mine
Take me down to one last river
Let me testify
ok next verse
Yes I believe in God's benevolence,
I have seen with my own eyes,
in the river just outside the gate,
Sunday sinners get baptized.
I will pray for my redemption,
but I'm quite sure that he won't hear,
I've never had that watered cross,
trickle in my ear.
The chaplain's face it grew sadder,
he said "you've not been christened son?"
No, I said, and I hung my head,
is there nothing to be done?
If I could get down to that river,
can't you see how cleansed I'd be?
The latest lamb, in God's hands.
My soul would be set free.
chorus.
organ solo.
They take me to the river bank,
two guards and the chaplain.
The moonlight shines on the holy tides,
my prayers have been answered.
I take my sodden walk to Jesus,
all piety and grace.
The guards release my shackles,
they cannot read my face.
The deepest breath that I can take,
as I plunge under the water.
The chaplain has the kindest ways,
he could have been a whole lot smarter.
Two kicks and I'm travelling,
beneath the muddy waters gleam.
By the time I take a second breath,
I'm a hundred yards downstream.