I went to see the preacher
To teach me how to pray
He looked at me and smiled
Then that preacher turned away

Said, "If you want to tell him something
You ain't gotta fold your hands
Say it with your heart, your soul and believe it
And I'll say, Amen"

Bang a drum for the sinners
Bang a drum for your sins
Bang a drum for the losers
And those who win

Bang a drum, bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
Bang a drum for yourself, son
And a drum for me

Well, I called upon my brother
Just the other day
He said, "Jon, I'm gonna die
If I don't start to live again"

"I work each day and night like clockwork
Just tryin' to make ends meet
Well, I could kick this bad world's ass
If I could just get on my feet"

Bang a drum for the dyin'
Bang a drum for the truth
Bang a drum for the innocence
Lost in our youth

Bang a drum, bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
Bang a drum for your brother
And a drum for me

I don't know where
All the rivers run
I don't know how far
I don't know how come

But I'm gonna die believin'
With each step that I take
Ain't worth the ground that I walk
If we don't walk it our own way

I don't claim to be a wise man
A poet or a saint
Just another man who's searchin'
For a better way

But, my heart beats loud as thunder
For the things that I believe
Sometimes, I want to run for cover
Sometimes, I want to scream

Bang a drum for the tomorrow
Bang a drum for the past
Bang a drum for the heroes
Who won't come back

Bang a drum for the promise
Bang a drum for the lies
Bang a drum for the lovers
And the tears they cry

Bang a drum, bang it loudly
Or as soft as you need
But as long as my heart
Keeps on banging, I've got a reason to believe