If I Had My Way I'd Tear This Building Down

Blind Willie Johnson

Well, if I had my way

If I had-a, a wicked mind

If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down



Weh-ell!

Delilah was a woman fine an' fair

Her pleasant looks-a, her coal black hair

Delilah gained old Samson's mind

A-first saw the woman that looked so fine



A-well went Timnathy, I can't tell

A daughter of Timnathy, a-pleased him well

A-Samson told his father, 'I'm goin a-a-a'

(Help) me Lord



If I had my way

Well, if a had-a, a wicked world

If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down



Weh-ell!

Samson's mother replied to him

'Can't you find a woman of your kind and kin?'

'Samson, will you please your mother's mind?'

Go'd and married that-a Philistine



Let me tell you what, old Samson



Well, he roared at the lion, the lion run

Samson was the first man the lion attach

He caught the lion and got upon his back

A-written that he killed a man with his

And Sampson had his hand in the lion's jaws



If I had my way

If I had-a, a wicked world

If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down



'Well, your riddle please, a-tell it to me'

'A-how an eater became forth meat?'

'Well, your riddle please, a-tell it to me'

'A-how strong of it came forth sweet?

Deliah, got his army after him

Well, the bees made-a honey in the lion hair



Well, if I had my way

Well, if I had-a, a wicked world

If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down



So men in Sorek, a-formed a plot

Not many days 'fore Samson was caught

A-bind this hands whilst a-walkin' along

A-looked on the ground and found a lil' jawbone

He moved his arm ropes, a-pop like thread

Dropped those threads, three thousand were dead



Lord, If I had my way

Well, if I had-a, a wicked world

If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down



Weh-ell!

Samson's strength though they ne