Meet me by the riverside
Later in the day
Gonna watch the hanging of an honest man
They say he ain't the guilty one
But someone has to pay
They will not be pleased before they see him hang



As he cries out

Turn and face the crowd

As he cries out

No one makes a sound

As he cries out

Before he hits the ground

He cries out

Where's your spirit now?

Drown me in the river

String me from the tree

Won't you free the slave in me?



Oh, oh



Leave me when the time is near

Leave me be in peace

This is not the way you should remember me

Have you nothing else to say?

Final words of truth

Forgive them, father

For they know not what they do



As he cries out

Mercy can't be found

As he cries out

No one makes a sound

As he cries out

Before he hits the ground

He cries out

Where is your savior now?

Throw me in the ocean

Cast me in the sea

Won't you free the slave in me?



Don't you know, don't you know?

Whoa, they're gonna come for you

You can run, run on out

Oh, they're gonna come for you

Until you bleed, oh

Until you bleed, oh

Dark days are coming

Dark days so you should take shelter

You should take shelter

Dark days are coming

Dark days are here



Is your conscience clear?

Have you seen the brave man

Hanging from a tree?

Say, who will be the first to see?