I shot a man, I heard him fall I heard his desperate dying call I saw his eyes grow dim in shade I saw his color drain and fade
I didn't know that final blow Would claim his life and end it so I wash and wash to clean these hands Because I shot a man
I shot a man, now all I see Is red, the shade of history It's love and blood and hate the same It burns my conscience with its flame
I couldn't tell the requiem bell would ring and bring this living hell Now heaven's heights I cannot span Because I shot a man
I shot a man because I knew my darkest depths he peered into He saw inside this heart of sin He saw inside and still climbed in He looked at me and I could see The cost of immortality
I shot him through the feet and hands My God, oh God, I shot a man.