Circle left
I went to see the preacher, to teach me how to pray
He looked at me and smiled, then the preacher turned away
Allemande that corner girl, come back and dosado
Allemande that corner girl then weave around you know
Bang a drum for the sinners, bang a drum for your sins
**Swing and whirl the lady there and promenade the ring
Bang a drum, bang it loudly, or as soft as you need;
Bang a drum for yourself, son, and a drum for me

Head two couples promenade, go halfway 'round the ring
Down the middle and square thru, and get 4 hands I sing
All the way 'round and then, do the right & left thru
Veer left and now, the couples circulate you do
Half tag, scoot back and go
Swing and whirl the corner girl and promenade you know
Bang a drum, bang it loudly, or as soft as you need
Bang a drum for yourself, son, and a drum for me

Circle left
I don't claim to be a wise man, a poet or a saint
Just another man who's searchin' for a better way
Allemande that corner girl, come back and dosado
Allemande that corner girl then weave around you know
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

Circle left
But my heart beats loud as thunder for the things that I believe
Sometimes I run for cover, sometimes I want to scream
Allemande that corner girl, come back and dosado
Allemande that corner girl then weave around you know
Bang a drum for tomorrow, bang a drum for the past
Bang a drum for the heroes who just won't come back
Bang a drum for the promise, bang a drum for the lies
A drum for the lovers, and the tears they cry