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



Well, 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 to believe