Van Dyke Brown - River Whyless

When I was courted by the loved and reckless

I made my case to the highest names

But they drowned me out in hallelujahs

All deaf, all deaf with praise

Just where you think I would, I found my circus

In the dim light of a west-town bar

Shouting benedictions out to feed our fire

«Amen, amen, what men we are»

And as the oak and the smoke rings paint you

In a glow of Van Dyke Brown

To see you dance so free, I can’t heart nothing

«Hey boys, hey boys, man down»

You said I suit you like a farmer’s armor

And fields that call his mind away

And how you heal from an orphan’s sorrow

Oh, as rains wash away the grey

'Cause I was lost like a politician

Caught up in a game of tug of war

When I found my feet slipping

Found myself wishing

I knew what it was that I ever stood for

But then you cool and I’m just my mother

Try to reshape me and I’m just my father

And all of the songs I learned

Before I forgot them

Now when the day comes

That I am lowered

In a case of Van Dyke Brown

Wanna hear my circus shouting out in benediction

Wanna hear them singing all deaf with praise

Wanna see you dancing in the glow of sundown

All around, all around

So free, so free

All around my grave

All around my grave