Van Dyke Brown

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 --- Van Dyke Brown - River Whyless