Capo 2nd fret

Standard (EADGBE)

Chorus

 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

Verse 1

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

 So go to the river where the water runs

Wash him deep where the tides are turning

Bridge

 And if you fall

 If you fall

Chorus

 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

Verse 2

 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

CHORUS x 2

 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