in the redwing valley, on the injun side
upon my daddy's pony i would ride
now i work in the city on the fact'ry line
and i sing the rock of ages in a midnight choir sometimes

chorus
in praise or lamentation, peace or desperation
any way i do, i come into the presence of the lord

in the twilight hour, when the whistle blow
out upon that shotgun street i go
johnny walker on the sidewalk askin for my change

in praise or lamentation...

hey, can you hear the trumpet blowin
hey, won't you come up where i am
sister will you walk beside me where i'm goin
up the shadow canyon
in the pure blood of the lamb

when the midnight special come to take me home
and the toothless buzzard time gnaws down my bones
i will sail on a river in a boat of reeds
cryin, “come, oh come emmanuel, in this my hour of need”

in praise or lamentation...