Arlis Richards was a man who lived among the blacks
He was a crosstie walker with guitar on his backbarely educated couldn't write his name
but when he played his guitar this is what he sang
CHORUS:
I have been set freepain and misery no longer follow meI know Jesus!
Just outside of Memphis back in 52Arlis was a ramblin the way that he would do
playing on his guitar sitting in the shade
people came to listen to the music that he made
BRIDGESome folks walked on by when they saw the color of his skin
others stayed and cried when they saw the man within
When his song was overArlis went his way
But some folks say revivalstarted that day