Jonah's Song

Jonah was a loner and he loved the Lord
So the Lord spoke out to him
He said, "The men of a city named Nineveh
Pity themselves no more for their sin
So I want you to go there and preach, preach, preach
Come on Jonah get offa your seat"
Now Jonah jumped up and took off in the opposite way

Jonah came upon a small ship down in Joppa
Heading out Tarshish way
He said, "I can't afford to stay around
'Cause the Lord, He knows I've disobeyed"
So he paid his fare and he bought him a ticket
Said, "If preaching is a habit, this the best way to kick it
'Cause me and the boys on the boat are gonna ride away"

Help me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Help me Lord and cause my fears to fade

Much to their alarm up come a big storm
And it commenced to rock that boat
And Jonah and the sailors in the boat with the bailers
Couldn't hardly stay afloat
They was wondering about the wild wind's sudden assault
And Jonah speaks up and says, "Boys it's all my fault"
So they threw him in, the storm stopped,
And that was all she wrote

Help me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Help me Lord and cause my fears to fade
This is the worst I ever felt
Now You know I need Your help
(Help) me Lord I know I've disobeyed

Jonah was a' floating on the calming ocean
For he was a stubborn gent
And the Lord says, "Hey, I know a surefire way
To help him to repent"
So He sent a fat fish that was big and bold
And it grabbed old Jonah and it swallowed him whole
One gulp and old Jonah had some time on his hands to think

Aaaa he was a' thinking
Help me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Help me Lord and cause these fears to fade
This is the worst I ever felt
Now You know I need Your help
(Help) me Lord I know I've disobeyed

With three days spent did the man repent?
You better bet it was no chore
So up come the fish and (erp)
He spit old Jonah on the shore
From the boat to the belly from the burp to the beach
Jonah's off and running on his way to preach
You better bet them Ninevites heard the word of the Lord

Hollering help me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Help me Lord and cause these fears to fade
Help me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Help me Lord and cause these fears to fade
This is the worst I ever felt
Now You know I need Your help
(Help) me Lord I know I've disobeyed
Ooo yeah
A-ha a-ha a-ha ha ha
A fat fish, a great big fish
A-ha a-ha a-ha ha yeow ow
A big fish, a very fat fish

This big fish come up and had me for lunch
But I didn't mind
'Cause I repented and I taught him a song of mine
Sing it, fish

Written by Mark Heard
© 1979 Autumn Balm Music BMI