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
Just live another day  and I can find another way
Just live another day  and I can find another way