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