River Baptism in Cold Spring Creek

Mama walked me down in a borrowed Sunday shirt I was twenty-nine and full of every kind of hurt Prison number still inked on my arm Congregation singing like a church bell on a farm Wash it off, wash it off In the cold of Cold Spring Creek Every mile I ran from heaven Floating downstream at my feet Wash it off, wash it off Let the current have its say I went under as a sinner Came up singing hallelujah day Preacher's hand was shaking, water froze my breath Felt like I was dying, and forgiven all the rest Mama cried, and Daddy, who had never said a word Put his arm around me, first time that I'd heard Wash it off, wash it off In the cold of Cold Spring Creek Every mile I ran from heaven Floating downstream at my feet Wash it off, wash it off Let the current have its say I went under as a sinner Came up singing hallelujah day