Civilians

The carriage horses stamp and fume

Until all color's gone

They leave the street in black and white

And bring the eventing coming on

Lovers tug their way out of gloves

Out of shoes, and gray chiffon

The driver pulls his blanket high

And pretends to look beyond

Oh, pray for you, pray for me

Sing it like a song

Life is sort but by the grace of God

This night is long

Girls crowd into bathroom stalls

The boys smoke in their cars

The general, he's in civilian clothes

Standing at the bar

He waves at the deaf flower lady

"Come sit by me, sweetheart"

He draws a napkin battle plan

Says, "This is where we start"

Oh, pray for you, pray for me

Sing it like a song

Life is sort but by the grace of God

This night is long

There are no more hummingbirds

Like there used to be

They're fat and slow and careless now

They've turned blue and mean

And the parrots sound like monkeys

Screamin' from the trees

As the decent people

Fumble for their keys

We used to spend the night in town

Down by City Hall

And the water works of Irish Beach

Just below the falls

We'd walk down to the Park Hotel

Past the Baptist Veteran's Mall

Back then, a man in uniform

Might mean anything at all

Oh, pray for you, pray for me

Sing it like a song

Life is short but by the grace or cruel

Heart of God, the night is long