Carried you on my shoulders
On Decoration Day
Like bu*ternut 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