He's the only son to be born in the widow's house
The only son to be born in the widow's house
The only son to be born
In a house so torn
He's the only son to be born in the widow's house
He took his name like a hammer in his hand
He took his name like a hammer in his hand
He took his name in his hand
From a dying man
He took his name like a hammer in his hand
Everywhere that he would go
And he paid once for the deed
He paid twice in his hour of need
One more time for the old church bell
And his daddy died
Before he opened his eyes
And his mother would never tell
Never go out there on your own
Don't you ever go out there on your own
I'm telling you not to go where the wide water flows
Don't you ever go out there on your own
The secret lies in a New Orleans hotel
The secret lies in a New Orleans hotel
The secret lies in a bed
With the covers over its head
The secret lies in a New Orleans hotel
Where the yellow roses grow
And he paid once for the deed
He paid twice in his hour of need
One more time for the old church bell
And his daddy died
Before he opened his eyes
And his mother would never tell
Someday it'll come to you
Like a freight train coming through a heavy mountain rain
You'll know what you're going to do
When you see you're making the very same mistake
You'll pay once for the deed
You'll pay twice in your hour of need
One more time for the old chuch bell
And your daddy died
Before you opened your eyes
And your mother would never tell