She was lost and feelin' lonely, not knowin' what to do Lookin' for salvation from the backslider pew The preacher's words brought comfort, and he made her believe Only blood can set you free Preacher was a young man, barely twenty-nine When the seed of love was planted there in that receiving line Before too long they took their vows and became a family Only blood can set you free Only blood is strong enough to wash away your sins Only blood is strong enough to change the way you've been Between Jesus and the Devil there's a path for you and me Only blood can set you free He put that inscription inside her wedding band And soon she came to know him like the back of his hand She clung to her Bible and got down on her knees Only blood can set you free Only blood is strong enough to wash away your sins Only blood is strong enough to change the way you've been Between Jesus and the Devil there's a path for you and me Only blood can set you free He came home one evenin' and much to his surprise He was greeted with a pistol and a fire in her black eye She said, I've talked to Jesus and he's been tellin' me Only blood can set me free Only blood is strong enough to wash away your sins Only blood is strong enough to change the way you've been Between Jesus and the Devil there's a path for you and me Only blood can set you free Only blood can set you free