I shot a man; I heard him fall I heard his desperate dying call I saw his eyes grow dim and 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