Our Song

by Joe Henry

From the album: Civilians

Track 7 of 16 on Civilians (2007).

Duration: 6:19

Civilians cover art

Lyrics for Our Song

I saw Willie Mays At a Scotsdale Home Depot Looking at Garage Door Springs At the far end of the 14th floor His wife stood there beside him She was quiet and they both were proud I gave them room but was close enough That I heard him when he said out loud This was my country This was my song Somewhere in the middle there Though it started badly and it's ending wrong This was my country This frightful and this angry land But it's my right if the worst of it might still Somehow make me a better man The sun is unforgiving and There's nobody who would choose this town But we've squandered so much of our good will That there's nowhere else will have us now We push in line at the picture show For cool air and a chance to see A vision of ourselves portrayed as Younger and braver and humble and free. This was our country This was our song Somewhere in the middle there Though it started badly and it's ending wrong This was our country This frightful and this angry land But it's my right if the worst of it might still Somehow make me a better man I've started something I can't finish And I barely leave the house it's true I keep her out on my sores and joints But I've guess I've had my blessings too I've got my mother's pretty feet And a factory keeps my house in shade My children they've both been paroled And we get back all the peace we've made I feel safe so far from heaven From towers and their ocean views From here I see the future coming across What soon will be beaches too But that was him I'm almost sure The greatest centerfielder of all time Stooped by the burden of endless dreams His and yours and mine He hooked each spring beneath his feet He leaned over then he stood upright Testing each against his weight For one that had some play and some fight He's just like us I want to tell him And our needs are small enough Something to slow our heavy door Something to raise one up This was my country This was my song Somewhere in the middle there Though it started badly and it's ending wrong This was God's country This frightful and this angry land But if it's his will The worst of it might still Somehow make me a better man If it's his will The worst of it might still Somehow make me a better man

Listen On

More from Civilians

  1. Civilians
  2. Parker's Mood
  3. Civil War
  4. Time Is a Lion
  5. You Can't Fail Me Now
  6. Scare Me to Death
  7. Our Song
  8. Wave
  9. Love Is Enough
  10. I Will Write My Book
  11. Shut Me Up
  12. God Only Knows
  13. Time Is a Lion - Demo
  14. I Will Write My Book - Demo
  15. God Only Knows - Demo
  16. Bread & Flowers - Demo