Joe Henry - Civilians lyrics

The carriage horses stamp and fume

Until all color's gone,

They leave the street in black and white

And bring the eventing coming on.

Lovers tug heir way out of gloves

Out of shoes, and gray chiffon,

The driver pulls his blanket igh

And pretends to look beyond.

Oh, pray for you, pray for me.

Sing it like a song -

Life is sort but, by the grace of God,

This night is long

Girls crowd into bathroom stalls

The boys smoke in their cars,

The general, he's in civilian clothes

Standing at the bar.

He waves at the deaf flower lady

"Come sit by me, sweetheart,"

He draws a napkin battle plan

Says, "this is where we start"

Oh, pray for you, pray for me.

Sing it like a song -

Life is sort but, by the grace of God,

This night is long

There are no more hummingbirds

Like there used to be

They're fat and slow and careless now

They've turned blue and mean.

And the parrots sound like monkets

Screamin from the treets,

As the decent people

Fumble for their keys...

We used to spend the night in town

Down by city hall,

And the water works of Irish Beach

Just below the falls.

We'd walk down to the Park Hotel

Past the Bapist Veteran's Mall

Back then, a man in uniform

Might mean anything at all

Oh, pray for you, pray for me

Sing it like a song -

Life is short but, by the grace or cruel

Heart of God,

The night is long