They said it would be over
Before it had begun
And now that it’s all over
No one’s sure who won

They said it would be over 
Before the winter’s snow
And now that it’s all over
We can put the guns on show

We went there to remember
Stood huddled in the wet
Others gave their lives for us
Lest we should forget

So we take our photos and look out at the view
Though there’s nothing much to see
Stray dogs are sleeping no teeth and no bark
It’s a sad day here in Victory Park

The men went to be heroes
Not to make their mothers cry
But when someone speaks his name now
She looks up to the sky

He went to be a hero
He didn’t go to die
When she hears his name now 
All she asks is why

No fares today - the rides are all empty 
As they trundle their way round the track 
With a flash from the wheels as they clank and they spark
It’s a sad day here in Victory Park

We ate our lunches slowly
Then smoked a cigarette
Others gave their lives for us
Lest we should forget

And the autumn leaves have fallen
Lying like lost boys on the ground
The eternal flame burns brighter as dusk turns to dark 
It’s a sad day in Victory Park

Bird on the Wire

leonardcohen