December 13th, 1872

Once it was different
Or was I just young?
I packed up my soul
And followed the songs
On the path of war
On the trail of blood
That carried me on
Like a flood

Shreds of a uniform
The Grey or the Blue
A slash of war paint
Cheyenne or Sioux
I travelled alone
I thought I belonged
Somehow through the years
I was wronged

I’ve loved fewer people
Than I’ve ever killed
I’ve sent to destruction
Those I controlled
I did it in sorrow
But never in rage
And all that is left -
A blank page

I stood for the desperate
I cried for the poor
To those who sought help
I opened my door
If that’s what I am
And not just a lie
I’ll do what I can
Even die

The masters of war
They’re not on our side
I can’t close my eyes
I can’t run and hide
I can’t stand and stare
As they kill and betray
My moment of truth
Is today

We were both defeated
We gave up our dream
It ties like a chain
It hurts like a scream
We look at each other
With hearts made of stone
My enemy’s face
Is my own

But we are still young
We could tell the truth
And write our own song
If only you’d live
To wipe all the blood
That carries us on
Like a flood.