Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand,

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

If you get sleep or if you get none

The cock's gonna call in the morning, baby

Check the cupboard for your daddy's gun

Red sun rises like an early warning

The Lord's gonna come for your first born son

His hair's on fire and his heart is burning

Go to the river where the water runs

Wash him deep where the tides are turning

And if you fall

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand,

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down

The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlight

Drunk and driven by a devil's hunger

Drive your son like a railroad spike

Into the water, let it pull him under

Don't you lift him, let him drown alive

The good Lord speaks like a rolling thunder

Let that fever make the water rise

And let the river run dry

And I said

Hold my hand

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river

Hold my hand,

Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down