John The Baptist
Blood Sweat And Tears Lyrics
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Savin' sinners and he wants your dollar
Tell the people that they'd better repent
Tellin' your daughter it was him who was sent
I saw him down there in a long white gown
Takin' sinners and holdin' them down
John, John, won't you wash 'em away?
Take us down and hold us under
Make the Heavens roar with thunder, now
The waters are dirty and the reason is
Holy John had to wash away our sins
Yes he did
He came to town, two weeks ago
Didn't take long before everyone did know
Down to the riverside, they all did flock
And watch him stand upon the rock
I saw him down there in a long white gown
Takin' sinners and holdin' them down
John, John, won't you wash 'em away?
Make us ready for the judgement day
Take us down and hold us under
Make the Heavens roar with thunder, now
The waters are dirty and the reason is
Holy John had to wash away our sins
Oh yes he did
Ooh can't you see that the water's dirty
And everybody knows that the reason is
Holy John has to wash away, wash away
Wash away everybody's sins
The song "John The Baptist" by Blood Sweat and Tears is a rock ballad that portrays the image of John the Baptist as a powerful religious figure who is actively working to save people from their sins. The lyrics depict John living by the water and preaching repentance to those who come to be baptized by him. He is described as being dressed in a long white gown and is holding sinners down in the water to wash away their sins.
The chorus of the song repeats the plea, "John, John, won't you wash 'em away? Make us ready for the judgement day." This line emphasizes the idea that John and his baptism are essential for salvation and prepares people for the final judgement.
Line by Line Meaning
Holy John lives down by the water
John, a spiritual leader, resides by the waters.
Savin' sinners and he wants your dollar
John helps people escape sin and expects monetary compensation.
Tell the people that they'd better repent
John advises individuals to atone for their actions.
Tellin' your daughter it was him who was sent
John informs your daughter that he's a messenger of God.
I saw him down there in a long white gown
The artist witnessed John by the water in white attire.
Takin' sinners and holdin' them down
John subdues sinners by forcing them underwater.
John, John, won't you wash 'em away?
The singer requests John cleanse them of their sins.
Make us ready for the judgement day
John is expected to prepare individuals for the day of reckoning.
Take us down and hold us under
The artist asks John to hold them underwater.
Make the Heavens roar with thunder, now
The artist urges John to create a dramatic spectacle.
The waters are dirty and the reason is
The waters are unclean; the explanation is given in the following line.
Holy John had to wash away our sins
John was obliged to purify the waters by washing away people's sins.
He came to town, two weeks ago
John arrived in the town two weeks prior.
Didn't take long before everyone did know
Word of John's arrival spread quickly.
Down to the riverside, they all did flock
People gathered near the water to see John.
And watch him stand upon the rock
People observed John as he stood on a rock.
Ooh can't you see that the water's dirty
The artist highlights the fact that the water is unclean.
And everybody knows that the reason is
Individuals acknowledge the cause of the dirty water.
Holy John has to wash away, wash away
John is compelled to cleanse everyone's sins.
Wash away everybody's sins
John must remove the sins of all individuals.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL KOOPER, PHYLLIS MAJOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind