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