Mar 22, 2009 @ 01:43 pm by r. pittman
Once again, I’m scheduled to perform for the local Blue Star Mothers at Kiroli Park in West Monroe on Memorial Day. I’m going to do a few songs by McDermott (one of my favorite Scottish musicians. His website is here) One song, “Bringin’ Buddy Home” (I heard McDermott performing live on the radio and transcribed the lyrics) is soon to be released on his new album, Journeys. I hope you like the lyrics. As far as I can tell, this is the first time these lyrics have been posted on the Internet. You can hear a short version of the song on McDermott’s website.
“The Dreamer” by John McDermott
Now some people call me a dreamer
As if dreamer is a dirty word
They say I sing a song that few still believe in
And that fewer still have even heard
Say I’m living in a time that is over
And not in the real world of today
That we need more doers and less dreamers
And that folks like me just get in the way.
I dream of a world without hunger
I dream of a world without war
Where we live at peace on this earth together
Where the air tastes sweet and the rivers are run clear.
Dream it first, and it will happen
But if you don’t believe that it can
Leave me to my dreaming
Cause I’m happy just where I am.
INSTRUMENTAL VERSE
Say I’m living in a time that is over
And not in the real world of today
That we need more doers and less dreamers
And that folks like me just get in the way.
I dream of a world without hunger
I dream of a world without war
Where we live at peace on this earth together
Where the air tastes sweet and the rivers are run clear.
Dream it first, and it will happen
But if you don’t believe that it can
Leave me to my dreaming
Cause I’m happy just where I am.
“Bringin’ Buddy Home” by John McDermott (C-17 used)
Somewhere between earth and heaven
The C-17 flies,
Heading westward homeward
Through clean, clear, safe blue skies
At the back of the airplane
Lying alone
Draped in his country’s flag
They’re bringing Buddy home.
Somewhere between tears and heartbreak,
A lifetime sorrow just begun
Grieving, disbelieving,
As parents wait to welcome home their son.
And pray for the strength
Somehow to face the days ahead
While heading westward homeward,
The Nation’s bringing home its dead.
When the rifles fire the volley
At the word of command
When they fold up Old Glory
And they place it in your hand
You can cry then,
And say goodbye then,
For Buddy’s now a name on a cold marble stone
And he’s never, never, never coming home.
INSTRUMENTAL VERSE:
Somewhere between fear and hatred
The black heart of war lies
Growing blacker, stronger,
With every young man who dies.
Far back from the airfield,
At their post in the combat zone,
His comrades wonder,
Who’ll be the next one going home.
When the rifles fire the volley
At the word of command
When they fold up Old Glory
And they place it in your hand
You can cry then,
And say goodbye then,
For Buddy’s now a name on a cold marble stone
And he’s never, never, never coming home.
REPEAT LAST LINE:
