Holy John lives down by the water Bathing sinners and he wants your daughter Telling 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 Judgment 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 To watch him stand upon the rock, yeah 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 Judgment 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 'Can't you see that the waters are dirty And everybody knows that the reason is Holy John has to wash away, wash away Wash away everybody's sins