Once in a lifetime, you'll hear that whistle blow
There's a long train a' coming
Singing soft and low
I heard that sad bell ringing
Heavenly choir singing
True freedom bringing
I heard that sad bell
Singing soft and low

But I've seen the glory
In an outlaw's story
We've seen the wonder
We've felt the thunder
And the lightning
Told us, this day
It's time to let it go

Last night I was woken
By a wild dog's call
Somewhere in the distance
Out there in the cold
And I felt this jubilation, free of tribulation
No sadness or frustration
A wild and free sensation
I heard that sad bell
Singing soft and low

We've seen the glory
In an outlaw's story
I've seen the wonder
I've felt the thunder
And the lightning
Has told me, it's this day
It's time to let you go

Once a lifetime, you will hear that river flow
It will rise and it will take you
But it's time for you to go
Bathe in absolution
A spiritual constitution
Thirstin' for redemption
Drowning in salvation
I heard that sad bell
Singing soft and low

We've seen the glory
In an outlaw's story
We've seen the wonder
We've felt the thunder
And the lightning
Has told us, it's this day
It's time to let you go