Carried you on my shoulders
On Decoration Day
Like butternut soldiers
We unfurled flags in May
Shielded you from the sun
We huzzahed the parade
My darling boy, my only one
Every prayer I prayed
And as I lay dyin
Can't keep from cryin' out
Your name
Bitter as blood
Bright as a blade
Just like your father
A pearl from a sow's purse
You left at 18
A family curse
And as I lay dyin
Can't keep from cryin' out
Your name
Bitter as blood
Bright as a blade
Took down the thumbtacks
And campaign maps
Chickamagua and Hood
And I never understood
If I saw you in a Huey
On the way to Hue
Between clips of LBJ
From mother to son
Cradle to grave
A dog to vomit
Nothing was saved
And as I lay dyin
Can't keep from cryin' out
Your name
I count every breath
I mark every day
Too torn to trust
Too proud to pray
Bitter as blood
Bright as a blade