What's Left of the Flag

Album: Drunken Lullabies (2002)
Play Video
  • His eyes they close and his last breath spoke
    He had seen all to be seen
    A life once full
    Now an empty vase
    Wilt the blossoms on his early grave

    Walk away me boy walk away me boy
    And my morning we'll be free
    Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear
    And raise what's left of the flag for me

    Then the rosary beads count to one, two, three
    Fell apart as they hit the floor
    In a garb of black we must pay respect
    To the color we were born to mourn
    Walk away me boys walk away me boys
    And my morning we'll be free
    Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear
    And raise what's left of the flag for me

    In a spiked ruin an angry festered wound
    Full of hatred and remorse
    Where I pick and scratch at the blooded mess
    Silent rage that now fills my lungs
    For there are many ways to kill a man they say
    With bayonet, axe or sword
    But son a bullet fired from a shapeless gun
    Just put the shell of a thompson gun

    Walk away me boys walk away me boys
    And by morning we'll be free
    Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear
    And raise what's left of the flag for me

    From the east out to the western shore
    Where many men and many more will fall
    But no angel flies with me tonight
    Though freedom reigns on all
    And curse the name for which we slaved our days
    So every men chose kingdom come

    But sure as night turns day it's the fashion play
    Oh my god what have they done
    With madmen rage well the dogged craze
    But the dead rise again you fools

    Walk away me boys walk away me boys
    And my morning we'll be free
    Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear
    And raise what's left of the flag for me

    Walk away me boys walk away me boys
    And my morning we'll be free
    Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear
    And raise what's left of the flag for me Writer/s: Bridget A Regan, David R King, Dennis Casey, George Edward Schwindt, Matthew A Hensley, Nathen Maxwell, Robert Anthony Schmidt
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Stuart from Upper Hutt, New ZealandI think the Violence you are talking about is the fight between the Irish and the British. The British also used the Thompson gun
  • Abram from Fairfield, VtThe song also references the racial violence between Italians and Irish during the early stages of American immigration. The lyric which references "the shell of a Thompson gun" directly refers to the Italian Mafia, who's iconic weapon of choice was indeed a Thompson, or "Tommy" gun.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.