[00:19.21]I feel the irons on my wrist
[00:21.51]and lament it’s come to this
[00:23.93]When they hang me from the gallows tree,
[00:26.53]“Such as life,” you’ll hear me hiss.
[00:28.38]I’m not the reddest handed bandit here,
[00:30.45]but I’m the one who’ll take the fall;
[00:33.25]This smoking gun’s been smothered by
[00:35.56]the long arm of the law.
[00:41.07]The Chaplin says, “The end has started,
[00:42.98]and your Judgement has begun”
[00:45.48]Prayers can lead to God’s forgiveness
[00:47.56]for all the foolish things you’ve done.
[00:49.91]You’ve got tonight to find some peace of mind
[00:52.72]before you leave this world.”
[00:55.15]And I hope and pray that I may
[00:57.40]never get what I deserve.
[00:59.19]Take me down to the river,
[01:01.81]Preacher, take me by the hand,
[01:03.95]Take me down to the river,
[01:06.25]mend the soul of a broken man,
[01:08.74]Drown me in forgiveness,
[01:10.88]wash these bloody hands of mine,
[01:13.03]Take me down to one last river, Lord,
[01:15.73]Let me testify.
[01:20.99]I believe in God’s benevolence,
[01:23.63]And I have seen with my own eyes,
[01:25.93]in the river just outside the gate,
[01:27.98]Sunday sinners get baptized.
[01:30.27]And I’ll pray for my redemption,
[01:32.32]But I’m quite sure that he won’t hear,
[01:34.81]I’ve never had that watered cross,
[01:37.51]trickle in my ear.
[01:42.75]The chaplain’s face it grew sadder,
[01:44.85]He said “you’ve not been christened, Son?”
[01:47.98]“No,” I said, and I hung my head,
[01:50.07]“Is there nothing to be done?
[01:52.03]If I could get down to that river,
[01:54.28]Can’t you see how cleansed I’d be?
[01:57.15]The latest lamb, in God’s hands.
[01:59.29]And my soul would be set free.”
[02:01.09]Take me down to the river,
[02:03.43]Preacher, take me by the hand,
[02:05.62]Take me down to the river,
[02:07.89]mend the soul of a broken man,
[02:10.77]Drown me in forgiveness,
[02:12.54]wash these bloody hands of mine,
[02:14.78]Take me down to one last river, Lord,
[02:19.61]Let me testify.
[02:21.63]oh You'd better to testify
[02:23.06](testify)
[02:54.18]They take me to the river banks,
[02:56.48]Two guards and the chaplain.
[02:58.76]The moonlight shines on the holy tides,
[03:00.77]My prayers have been answered.
[03:02.92]I take my sodden walk to Jesus,
[03:05.16]All piety and grace.
[03:07.86]The guards release my shackles,
[03:10.19]But they cannot read my face.
[03:16.04]The deepest breath that I can take,
[03:18.00]As I plunge under the water.
[03:20.49]The chaplain had the kindest ways,
[03:22.60]But he could have been a whole lot smarter.
[03:25.13]Two kicks and I’m traveling,
[03:27.13]Beneath the muddy waters gleam.
[03:29.32]And by the time I take a second breath,
[03:31.63]I’m a hundred yards downstream.
[03:33.58]Take me down to the river,
[03:35.91]Preacher, take me by the hand,
[03:38.06]Take me down to the river,
[03:40.70]mend the soul of a broken man,
[03:43.24]Drown me in forgiveness,
[03:44.91]wash these bloody hands of mine,
[03:47.26]Take me down to one last river, Lord,
[03:49.90]Let me testify.
[03:56.39]Take me down to the river,
[03:57.84]Preacher, take me by the hand,
[03:59.78]Take me down to the river,
[04:02.08]mend the soul of a broken man,
[04:04.72]Drown me in forgiveness,
[04:06.67]wash these bloody hands of mine,
[04:08.93]Take me down to one last river, Lord,
[04:11.39]Let me testify.