I feel the irons on my wrist
And lament it's 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 here
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 as started
And your 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 b_____ hands of mine.
Take me down to one last river,
Let me testify.

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:
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 b_____ hands of mine.
Take me down to one last river,
Let me testify.

Testify

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 traveling,
Beneath the muddy waters gleam.
By the time I take a second breath,
I'm a hundred yards downstream.

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 b_____ hands of mine.
Take me down to one last river,
Let me testify.

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 b_____ hands of mine.
Take me down to one last river,
Let me testify.

Testify
Testify

See also:
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