I was riding on the open plain
Beneath the darkening sky
For my freedom and the border
And my true love I did ride
Some people say a secret ain’t no different
Than a lie
And I’m as guilty as any other man
Goin’ down to the river
With blood on my hands
The man I killed he wears my face
And travels by my name
He’s with me on the crowded streets
Beside me on the train
I feel his hand upon my wrist as
Cold as iron chain
As he leads me through the gates
Of no man’s land
Down to the river with blood on my hands
The politics of right and wrong
I never understood
So many a man of righteousness
Been nailed up on the wood
So many a man of evil
Has worn the badge of good
Like lions they been layin’ with the lambs
Going down to the river
With blood on their hands
In the furnace of the desert
The fairest flower grows
By the name of sweet Marcina
She’s the queen of Mexico
She’s waitin’ by her window
With her prayer lights burnin’ low
And tonight I miss her more
Than I can stand
Goin’ down to the river
With blood on my hands
The law fell down upon me
In the dawning of the day
They led me to the courthouse steps
Where the hangman’s daughter plays
They say her arms will hold you tight
And this earth will slip away
And you and her go walkin’ hand in hand
Down to the river
With blood on your hands
Words and music by Robert Hazard
© 2007 Heroic Music (ASCAP)