He Reached Down - Iris DeMent

A certain man one day did go down to Jericho

Fallin' among thieves along the way

Well they stripped him then they fled

Leaving him for dead

Lying on the side of the road

And then the priest came passing by He crossed over to the other side

Then the Levite came and he did just the same

When the Samaritan heard his cry

He just could not pass on by He dressed his wounds and he carried to the nearest inn

(Chorus)

Well he reached down, he reached down

He got right there on the ground

He reached down, he reached down

And he touched the pain

He paid the keeper the amount that was due

If you need more he said I’m good for that too

He reached down, he reached down

And he touched the pain

(Verse 2)

And then the Scribes in the Pharicese

Brought the adultress in for Jesus to see

Lord, she’s sinned, now the law says she must be stoned

If there’s a one of you that’s without sin

Said you can cast the first stone in One by one they left, leaving Jesus and the woman alone

Well no accusers are left that I see

And Woman, neither do I condemn thee

He reached down, he reached down

And he touched the pain

(Verse 3)

In the (Bible??) a story is told

About a traveler at the end of life’s road

He’s at the gates of the Kingdom and the Master says «Come on in»

For I was hungry and you gave me meat

I was cold you put shoes on my feet

When I was in prison there was you who come to see about me

(Chorus Modified)

Well you reached down, you reached down

You got right there on the ground

You reached down, you reached down

And you touched my pain

When you’re debted to the least of these

He said you were doin' it unto me You reached down, you reached down

And you touched my pain

Well he reached down, he reached down