The Deserter's Song

Skies black, cold and vacant now

I sat on the hillside

The stars up above me

Like pinholes in velvet

I listened to the song

That I hoped I'd never hear

And off behind me

Guns snap like insects

We're fighting for causes

We don't really fathom

But we'll charge ahead

Bloodied hands feed the flames

Their guns all rain down

Say your prayers, fall and run

This is do or die this time

Raise your fist, give 'em hell boys

Let's make them wish they'd never lived

My eyes locked with a boy on the other side

Hands dropped, he stood defenseless

But he wasn't frightened

His face was accepting

But I couldn't pull

I couldn't pull, I couldn't pull

And I could see it clear

To fall was not my fear

To make one fall was

And the chaos returned, I backed into the trees

Left my guns on the ground, wiped the mud from my knees

And I knew in my heart that my old life was gone

That in walking away, my name was undone

So I might as well run

Parts and bones and strings of secrets cut the ties that bind me

I might dream myself as king, but I ain't made for ruling

Just live another day, and I can find another way (3x)