Holy John lives down by the water
Saving sinners and he wants your dollar
Tell the people that they'd better repent
Telling your daughter it was him who was sent
I saw him down there in a long white gown
Taking sinners and holding 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
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
Taking sinners and holding 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
See that the water's dirty
And everybody knows that the reason is
Holy John has to wash away, wash away, wash away everybodys' sins