Testify

I feel the irons on my wrist

When they hang me from the gallows tree,

“Such as life,” you’ll hear me hiss.

This smoking gun’s been smothered by

the long arm of the law.

The Chaplin says, “The end is started,

Prayers can lead to God’s forgiveness

for all the foolish things you’ve done.

And I hope and pray that I may never

get what I deserve.

Take me down to the river, Preacher, take me by the hand,

Drown me in forgiveness, wash these bloody hands of mine,

Take me down to one last river, Lord,

And Let me testify.

Yes I believe in God’s benevolence,

in the river just outside the gate,

Sunday sinners get baptized.

I’ve never had that watered cross,

trickle in my ear.

The chaplain’s face it grew sadder,

“No,” I said, and I hung my head,

“Is there nothing to be done?

The latest lamb, in God’s hands.

And my soul would be set free.”

Take me down to the river, Preacher, take me by the hand,

Drown me in forgiveness, wash these bloody hands of mine,

Take me down to one last river, Lord,

And Let me testify.

They take me to the river banks,

The moonlight shines on the holy tides,

My prayers have been answered.

The guards release my shackles,

But they cannot read my face.

The deepest breath that I can take,

The chaplain had the kindest ways,

But he could have been a whole lot smarter.

And by the time I take a second breath,

I’m a hundred yards downstream.

Take me down to the river, Preacher, take me by the hand,

Drown me in forgiveness, wash these bloody hands of mine,

Take me down to one last river, Lord,

And Let me testify.

Take me down to the river, Preacher, take me by the hand,

Drown me in forgiveness, wash these bloody hands of mine,

Take me down to one last river, Lord,

And Let me testify.