On the second of December we'll always remember
As the day John Brown went marching in
Well, they took him from his cell with a .44 cal
Now he's gone for the gallows to hang

Ah, ah

When John Brown walked by on his way to die
Conviction tortured him
He said, "Man is depraved
And there ain't no slave can dwell here in Beulah land"

Ah, ah, ah, ah

Twelve fifes and drums and twenty one guns
As they marched him to the hanging ground
Then John started laughing staring up at the coffin
Said, "No grave can hold this body down"

Mister Governor Wise won't you read from his crimes
While they wrap that rope 'round his head
And old Mr. Avis, I want you to turn them pages
And read what the good book said

Then John Brown spoke with a neck full of rope
"This blood I shed for thee
For the sin of this land can never repent
Until every slave goes free"

John Brown's dream
John Brown's dream
John Brown's dream was the devil is dead

Ah, ah, ah, ah
(John Brown's dream)