Bang a Drum

I went to see the preacher

To teach me how to pray

He looked at me and smiled

Then that preacher turned away

Said, "If you want to tell him something

You ain't gotta fold your hands

Say it with your heart, your soul and believe it

And I'll say, amen"

Bang a drum for the sinners

Bang a drum for your sins

Bang a drum for the losers

And those who win

Bang a drum, bang it loudly

Or as soft as you need

Bang a drum for yourself, son

And a drum for me

Well, I called upon my brother

Just the other day

He said, "Jon, I'm gonna die

If I don't start to live again"

"I work each day and night like clockwork

Just tryin' to make ends meet

Oh, I could kick this bad world's ass

If I could just get on my feet"

Bang a drum for the dyin'

Bang a drum for the truth

Bang a drum for the innocence

Lost in our youth

Bang a drum, bang it loudly

Or as soft as you need

Bang a drum for your brother

And a drum for me

I don't know where all the rivers run

I don't know how far

I don't know how come

But I'm gonna die believin'

With each step that I take

Ain't worth the ground that I walk

If we don't walk it our own way

I don't claim to be a wise man

A poet or a saint

Just another man who's searchin'

For a better way

But my heart beats loud as thunder

For the things that I believe

Sometimes I want to run for cover

Sometimes I want to scream

Bang a drum for the tomorrow

Bang a drum for the past

Bang a drum for the heroes

Who won't come back

Bang a drum for the promise

Bang a drum for the lies

Bang a drum for the lovers

And the tears they cry

Bang a drum, bang it loudly

Or as soft as you need

But as long as my heart keeps on banging

I've got a reason (reason)

To believe

Ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh