He Once Was
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I met a man in town today
Where he's from he did not say
Told his story sad but true
He once was like me and you
He once was like me and you
Said he wished the truth away
On that autumn day
People came and gathered by the tracks
Some held signs, some turned their backs
As the train he rode passed by
Bowed his head he knew the reason why
Morning songs the free birds sing
He yearned to hear them, yearned to hear them
Warnings dire the caged birds bring
He learned to fear them, learned to fear them
Born to lead but bred to follow
Hollow rang the words that he belonged
He belonged
White feathers clutched within his hand
As he walked alone along the strand
Women wearing red scarves knelt to pray
He didn't know quite what to say
Fate was rarely fair or kind
To God's poor souls who languish on the lines
Morning songs the free birds sing
He yearned to hear them, yearned to hear them
Warnings dire the caged birds bring
He learned to fear them, learned to fear them
Born to lead but bred to follow
Hollow rang the words that he belonged
I met a man in town today
Where he's from he did not say
Told his story sad but true
He once was like me and you
A ragged book in jagged hands
His diary of a life unplanned
Held together with wire and glue
He once was like me and you
He went down to the water with those who have fallen
Those who can't stand on their own
In the arms of their brothers, sisters and mothers
They're on their way home
They're on their way home
Once a soldier battle worn
Bible bred now body torn
A living hell that he lived through
He once was like me and you
He once was like me and you
He went down to the water with those who have fallen
Those who can't stand on their own
In the arms of their brothers, sisters and mothers
They're on their way home
They're on their way home
They're on their way home
They're on their way
His voice grew soft, his words did stray
He bid farewell then walked away
A restless soul with thoughts askew
He once was like me and you