When I’m Gone

(from the rock&B album, "The Crush")

Where have all the heroes gone?
With all their exploits honoured in songs?
My friend Vic still remembers Vietnam

As if it were yesterday
He went down and it took him away
His eyes speak more than any words could say

Wonder if my lifetime, too,
Will archive my point of view
Will our children salute me too?

Some say a man’s valor is weighed
By the choices he’s made today
In Flanders’ Fields, there’s a mist over each grave …

Chorus:
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone
At least my memory stays …

Salute to the flag outside
Blasphemous to lose your pride
Policy says democracy’s at stake

Pressure’s on to be wise
Your granddad served, now he’s 95
Man alive, tradition’s just implied

Ticking clocks and hand grenades
Some will suffer, some will fade
Night falls, and Baghdad’s ablaze

Far away, in a white highrise
A wargame fan’s high off of his supply
When he snorted, did he picture his demise?

I wanna call Mom tonight
Remind her to turn off the porchlight
Please pray for me, let’s try to keep the mood bright …
Swear to God …

Chorus:
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone
Mommy, your son fought the good fight …
Fade screen …

Colored by rocket’s red glare
And bombs bursting in the air
The sky covers bravado and despair

It’s like a game of permanent tag
When you’re ‘it’, you’re put in a black bag
Some make art of their trophies like von Hagen

Minds are focused and blood diffused
‘Victory’ screams the local news on
On both sides – tell our people we will not lose

The big planes drop teddy bears
With parachutes, a gesture of repair on
Small children, ecstatic and scared
Wish you well …

I used to have a model boat
When I was 5, but it wouldn’t float
It had a hole about the size of an Uzi’s
Perfect shot …

Chorus:
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone
I used to love anything by Cobain
Now only migraines remain

Who argues the need for war?
If not, what the f*ck are we here for?
Quiet tonight, damn, Private Jones could snore

I miss the warm Trinidadian sun
My girlfriend’s sad, she just turned 21
Now I’m staring down the barrel of this gun
Seeing them come …

Chorus:
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone
I used to swim at the beach when it rained
Now only my shells remain

When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone fa-la-la-la
When I’m gone
Remember how I loved to paint
Now only my stain remains.

(c) 2005 Black Dragon Music. All Rights Reserved.