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