Her name was Jessie, she was seventeen Her daddy was a preacher down in Kingston SpringsHe told Jessie, don't give your love away She ate one night on the river bankShe gave it all to a boy named Hank Now she's got to live with a secret every dayAnd these words kept running through her head She remembered what her daddy saidWhen you're washed in the flood and you've been through the fire Your heart comes clean that very hourNo more guilt, no more shame You'll forgive him when you call his nameOne night old Hank told his best friend About the night Jessie gave her love to himAnd for too long the preacher knew the truth So they caught him one night on the riverbedHe laid a night pillar up against Hank's head He said, son, say your prayers, it's gone againJessie cried, please, daddy, don't shoot him dead Don't forget the words you've always saidWhen you're washed in the flood and you've been through the fire Your heart comes clean that very hourNo more guilt, no more shame You'll forgive him when you call his nameHe dropped his pistol and he hung his head He said, Lord, forgive me, how could I forget?When you're washed in the flood and you've been through the fire Your heart comes clean that very hourNo more guilt, no more shame You'll forgive him when you call his nameWhen you're washed in the flood and you've been through the fire Your heart comes clean that very hourNo more guilt, no more shame You'll forgive him when you call his nameWhen you call his name When you call his name