The groom hit the fence as the mortars fell
Then raced across cannery row
Felt the heat lick his heals
Heard the grinding of wheels
Smelled the flesh in the fire bruning all
All his finest stunk of sweat as the rains came down
And it was black with the ashes of his home
From the hillside he watched
As vast rivers colored crimson
Poured from lovers veins and sank into the deep
Well is this ringing any bells
Have we resigned purselves to silence
As our hearts are being swallowed whole
Are our bells now all but broken
Do you stagger towards the call
For us to ring our fighting bells here tonight
Oh Lord!
For us to ring our fighting bells here tonight
