Verse
(a cappella)
If you get sleep or if you get none
(The cock's gonna call in the mornin', baby)
Check the cupboard for your daddy's gun
(Red sun rises like an early warnin')
The Lord's gonna come for your first born son
(His hair's on fire and his heart is burnin')
So go to the river where the water runs
(Wash him deep where the tides are turnin')
[Bridge] (a cappella)
And if you fall
An' if you fall
[Chorus]
Am
Hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river
Am
Hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
[Verse 2]
Am
The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlight
Am
(Drunk and driven by a devil's hunger)
Am
Drive your son like a railroad spike
Am
(Into the water, let it pull him under)
D
Don't you lift him, let him drown alive
Am
(The good Lord speaks like a rollin' thunder)
Am
Let that fever make the water rise
Em
(And let the river run dry,) and I said
[Chorus]
Am
Hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river
Am
Hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
[Chorus]
Am
Hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way, a long long long way
Am
An' hold my hand
Am D
Ooh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
[Instrumental]
Am Am Am Am
(ah) (ah)
Am Am
(oh, oh, OH oh, oh, OH ) (oh, oh, OH oh, oh, OH )
Am Am
(oh, oh, OH oh, oh, OH ) (oh, oh, OH oh, oh, OH )
Am Am Am Am
hold my hand hold my hand
Am Am Am Am
hold my hand hold my hand
Am Am Am Am
hold my hand hold my hand
Am
hold my hand
N.C.
Oh, baby it's a long way down, long way down