But that's the least of all my fears
Ooh, underneath the water
It's not Alabama clay
That gives my trembling hands away
Please forgive me father
Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul
Did that full moon force my hand?
Or that un marked hundred grand?
Ooh, underneath the water
Please forgive me father
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/the-civil-wars-barton-hollow-lyrics.html ]
Miles and miles in my bare feet
Still can't lay me down to sleep
If I die before I wake
I know the Lord my soul won't take
I'm a dead man walking
I'm a dead man walking
Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles
Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul
The Indie-Folk band The Civil Wars sing the song Barton Hollow. After reading through the lyrics, an image of old timey south appears. The song is about committing a large-scale sin and knowing that God will not forgive them for it. The song is filled with metaphors, symbolism, and religious references.
From the line, "or that unmarked hundred grand" it suggests stolen money that could have possibly been made or just stolen, or maybe even a payment for some different crime that was committed.
The previous line, "did that full moon force my hand?" makes a reference to the myth that a full moon can turn people to act crazy or differently than what normal