This Bee Gees song, originally recorded and released as a single in June 1968, is featured the album Idea, released September of the same year.
"Question... How do you arouse public interest in world events? Answer... Take a guy who's just about to be fried and turn it into a social statement.
Putting a strong theme into a 'pop' record and keeping it simple and commercial like this is never easy. 'Man pleading for his lover just before the switch is thrown, whilst confessing his guilt at the same time' - not exactly Oscar Wilde, but it had the desired effect."1 -Robin Gibb
The preacher talked with me and he smiled,
Said, "Come and walk with me, come and walk one more mile.
Now for once in your life you're alone,
but you ain't got a dime, there's no time for the phone."
I've just gotta get a message to you;
Hold on, hold on.
One more hour and my life will be through;
Hold on, hold on.
I told him I'm in no hurry,
but if I broke her heart, then won't you tell her I'm sorry.
And for once in my life I'm alone,
And I gotta let her know just time before I go.
I've just gotta get a message to you;
Hold on, hold on.
One more hour and my life will be through;
Hold on, hold on.
Well, I laughed but that didn't hurt,
And it's only her love that keeps me wearing this dirt.
Now I'm crying, but deep down inside,
Well, I did it to him, now it's my turn to
die.
I've just gotta get a message to you;
Hold on, hold on.
One more hour and my life will be through;
Hold on, hold on.
1p.188, Bee Gees Anthology, Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1991.