What's Left of the Flag

His eyes they closed
 and his last breath spoke
 he had seen all to be seen
 a life once full
 now an empty vase
 wilt the blossoms
 on his early grave

 walk away me boys
 walk away me boys
 and by morning we'll be free
 wipe that golden tear
 from your mother dear
 and raise what's left
 of the flag for me
 then the rosary beads
 count them 1 2 3
 fell apart as they hit the floor
 in a garb of black
 we must pay respect
 to the color we were born to mourn
 walk away me boys
 walk away me boys
 and by morning we'll be free
 wipe that golden tear
 from your mother dear
 and raise what's left
 of the flag for me

 In its place grew
 an angry festered wound
 full of hatered and remorse
 where I pick and scratch
 till the blood it matched
 silent rage that now fills my lungs
 for there are many ways
 to kill a man they say
 with bayonet, axe or sword
 but son a bullet fired
 from a shapeless guise
 just put the shell of a Thompson gun

 walk away me boy
 walk away me boys
 and by morning we'll be free
 wipe that golden tear
 from your mother dear
 and raise what's left
 of the flag for me

 from the east out to the western shore
 where many men and many more will fall
 but no angel flies with me tonight
 though freedom reigns on all
 and curse the name for which
 we slaved our days
 so every men chose Kingdom Come
 But sure as night turns day
 it's the passion play
 oh my god
 what have they done
 with madman's rage
 well they dug our graves
 but the dead rise again you fools

 walk away me boy
 walk away me boys
 and by morning we'll be free
 wipe that golden tear
 from your mother dear
 and raise what's left
 of the flag for me

 walk away me boy
 walk away me boys
 and by morning we'll be free
 wipe that golden tear
 from your mother dear
 and raise what's left
 of the flag for me