Testify
Alan Doyle Feat. Colin James Lyrics

I feel the irons on my wrist
I am aware of my impending punishment and the restraints that come with it.

And lament, it's come to this
I mourn the fact that I have reached this point in my life where I must face the consequences for my actions.

When they hang me from the gallows tree
I am fully aware that death awaits me as punishment for the crime I have committed.

"Such as life," you'll hear me hiss
I succumb to fate and accept my punishment, knowing that there is little I can do to change the outcome.

I'm not the reddest handed bandit here
I am not the most guilty party in this situation.

But I'm the one who'll take the fall
However, I will be the one who will bear the full brunt of the law's punishment.

This smoking gun's been smothered
The evidence that could have freed me has been hidden or destroyed.

By the long arm of the law
I am a victim of the law's extent and reach, which apprehended me despite my attempts to hide.

The Chaplin says, "The end is started
The chaplain tells me that my end is near, and my judgment will soon commence.

And your judgment has begun
I am already being held accountable for what I have done.

Prayers can lead to God's forgiveness
I can seek redemption through prayer and ask for God's mercy and forgiveness.

For all the foolish things you've done"
I have committed foolish acts and must pay for them.

"You've got tonight to find
I have a limited amount of time to find some peace before my execution.

Some peace of mind before you leave this world"
I must find some respite and comfort before I face my end.

And I hope and pray
I pray that I will not receive the full punishment that I deserve.

That I may never get what I deserve
I fear that I will suffer the consequences of my crime, and I hope that I will be shown mercy.

Take me down to the river
I ask to be taken to the river as a symbol of seeking forgiveness and redemption.

Preacher, take me by the hand
I ask for the preacher's help in guiding me towards absolution.

Mend the soul of a broken man
I seek to heal my soul, which has been shattered by my transgressions.

Drown me in forgiveness
I desire to be completely immersed in forgiveness, to be cleansed of my sins.

Wash these bloody hands of mine
I want to be cleansed of the guilt of my actions, which weigh heavily on my conscience.

Take me down to one last river
I ask to be taken to the river for one final chance at absolution.

Lord, let me testify
I implore God to allow me to make a final statement, to bear witness to my redemption.

I believe in God's benevolence
I have faith in God's kindness.

And I have seen with my own eyes
I have witnessed firsthand the power of faith and redemption through baptism.

In the river just outside the gate
The river near my place of confinement has been used for baptism and absolution.

Sunday sinners get baptized
Even those who have sinned are given the opportunity for redemption through baptism.

And I'll pray for my redemption
I will continue to seek redemption through prayer and communion with God.

But I'm quite sure that he won't hear
I fear that God may not hear my prayers or grant me redemption.

I've never had that watered cross
I have never been baptized or undergone the ritual of absolution.

Trickle in my ear
I have never heard the water of absolution being poured over me during baptism.

The chaplain's face it grew sadder
The chaplain is saddened by the realization that I have not undergone the ritual of absolution.

He said, "You've not been christened, son?"
The chaplain asks if I have undergone baptism or the ritual of absolution.

"No," I said and I hung my head
I admit to the chaplain that I have never undergone the ritual of absolution or baptism.

"Is there nothing to be done?"
I ask if there is any way for me to still be redeemed or forgiven.

"If I could get down to that river
I implore the chaplain to allow me to go to the river for absolution and redemption.

Can't you see how cleansed I'd be?
I believe that, through baptism, I will be completely cleansed of my sins and guilt.

The latest lamb in God's hands
I consider myself a lamb that will soon be in God's care and protection.

And my soul would be set free
I believe that, through baptism and absolution, my soul will be released from the burden of guilt and sin.

They take me to the river banks
The guards and chaplain take me to the banks of the river for absolution.

Two guards and the chaplain
The two guards and the chaplain accompany me to the banks of the river.

The moonlight shines on the holy tides
The scene is illuminated by the moonlight, which reflects on the water.

My prayers have been answered
I feel that my prayers for absolution and redemption have finally been answered.

I take my sodden walk to Jesus
I walk towards the water, which I associate with Jesus and absolution.

All piety and grace
I am humbled and embrace the ritual of absolution with sincerity and gratitude.

The guards release my shackles
The guards no longer restrain me, symbolizing an acceptance of my repentance.

But they cannot read my face
Despite having been released from punishment, I maintain a solemn expression.

The deepest breath that I can take
I take a deep breath as I prepare to undergo the ritual of baptism.

As I plunge under the water
I immerse myself in the water, ready to be baptized and absolved of my sins.

The chaplain had the kindest ways
The chaplain was kind and understanding throughout the ordeal.

But he could have been a whole lot smarter
While the chaplain was kind, he could have helped me avoid this fate entirely by guiding me earlier in life.

Two kicks and I'm traveling
I kick twice in the water as a sign of my new life, both spiritually and physically.

Beneath the muddy waters gleam
Even in the dark and murky water, I am able to see the light of the world above.

And by the time I take a second breath
As I emerge from the water, I take a second breath symbolizing a new life and a fresh start.

I'm a hundred yards downstream
Having undergone baptism and absolution, I move forward in life, leaving my past behind and starting anew.