the air of gettysburg

we came from far and wide
and we stood ‘neath clouded skies
and listened to the band played a dirge
the work of guns had been done
the work of words to be sung
only words could clear the air of gettysburg

the dwarfed and helpless son
lee’s army on the run
no ordinary coin did he speak
burning nerves and boiling veins
he was crazy in brain
union tears folling down widow’s cheek

bridge
he said it all, he said it clear
the truth ran in our ears
under rocks and autumn leaves
some repose

no weakness no contempt
money earned money spent
could it be only the honor that we know?

the restless dead, bluebottle flies
per diem days, official lies
will i ever have the strength to run from you?
long distance calls, unburied bones
a thousand miles away from home
could you spare this dying man a shot of booze

repeat bridge
1st verse

Jon Houlon, Hillside Blue Music, 2001