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 Raise what's left of the flag for me Then the rosary beads, count them, one, two, three Fell apart as they hit the floor In our garb of black we must pay respect To the color we're born to mourn Walk away, me boys, walk away, me boys By morning we'll be free Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear Raise what's left of the flag for me In his place there grew an angry festered wound Filled with hatred and remorse Where I'd pick and scratch at the blood amassed The silent rage now that 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 Leaves the shell of a Thompson gun Walk away, me boys, walk away, me boys And by morning we'll be free Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear 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 cried for me tonight, freedom reigns on all We curse the name which we slaved our days, so every man chose Kingdom Come But sure as night turns day, ends the passion play Oh my god, what have we done? When the mad men rage, well they dug our graves But the dead rise again, you fools Walk away, me boys, walk away, me boys And by morning we'll be free Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear Raise what's left of the flag for me 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