Take Me By the Hand (J. Spagnardi) Way back in Tallahassee, I was just a beau My pappy walked a dirt road, dragging me in tow Watched him drinking and a gambling, night of raising hell in town My mama come and fetch me, bring that mother down And she said take me by the hand child, take me by the hand Follow me home, boy, to the promised land Go you not into temptation, leave them sins behind Take my by the hand child, take me by the hand I'm sixteen in the summer, down in New Orleans Hot magic in the air, y'all … you know what I mean Saw her on a streetcar looking back at me Sweet coy desire, bring that here to me And she said take me by the hand child, take my by the hand Follow me home, boy, I'll make you understand Throw out your hesitation, bring them sins inside Take me by the hand child, to the promised land Ain't no work in Natchez, no work in Tennessee I was thirty-four and hard up, honest man I could not be Though my spirit was a willing, no way my weak flesh could resist Siren's call and devil's temptress, just a red dress and a kiss And she said take me by the hand child, take me by the hand Go and grab a piece of action, ain't no morals in this land Let me lead you to temptation, delivery made and guaranteed Take my by the hand child, take me by the hand Thirty years in Huntsville, staring at the walls Gray hair's turning empty, hear that trumpet call An angel stands before me, she's all swaddled up in white Leads me to that next world, follow the light And she said take me by the hand child, take me by the hand I'm calling you home, boy, you've toiled all you can Your faith is your salvation, your sins are washed away Take me by the hand child, to that promised land