Goin' Down Jordan - Harry Belafonte

We are going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

Let’s walk the heavenly road

I was livin' me life as an Anglican

Let me tell you how I changed to a Baptist man

I was livin' me life as an Anglican

Let me tell you how I changed to a Baptist man

One night I was walking down Fred’rick street

Poor and hungry, no shoes on me feet

I passed a door that said «Down with sin»

It was the smell of food that pull me in

We are going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

Let’s walk the heavenly road

Well, the leader walked up and he shook my hand

Said «I want you to be a holy man»

Right away I made a big decision

Me stomach was a growling for this new religion

I started over to get some food

When some sisters approached me in a mystic mood

They dunked me in the water 'bout four, five times

I couldn’t see a thing 'cause I was almost blind

Singing I’ve got a sword in my hand

I’m going to use it well

I was drenched to me skin and I was feeling cold

But the sight of the food made me take a hold

The sisters started to break away

They said «Kneel, believers, kneel and pray»

I prayed and I prayed in a new-found style

In the meantime me taste buds was running wild

I was about to fall clear out of me seat

When a man jumped up and said «Before you eat

You got to mourn, children, mourn

You got to mourn, children, mourn

And if you want to go to Heaven when you die

You got to mourn, children, mourn

Well, before I baptized I had plenty pain

Now I find myself a free man again

Well, before I baptized I had plenty pain

Now I find myself a free man again

Don’t talk 'bout the leaders they treat me good

Plenty sweet oil and plenty food

Brother it was then that I realized

Ev’ry man on earth should be baptized

Going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

We are going down, Jordan

Let’s walk the heavenly road