Whirl Away - Patti Smith

hello friend I’ve come a-calling

passively stationed

active patrol

sliding in at high noon like some reluctant sheriff

not want to get involved in it all

who stands guard for each other

why must we guard anything at all

anything at all

from the earth’s four corners the people are calling

forming equations but the questions are hard

all men are brothers killing each other

and mother earth is wringing in wonder

who stands guard for each other

why must we guard anything at all

anything at all

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away

there’s a cross on the road

there’s a great mill turning

some seeking answers

some born to dancers

you can hold on the blade and turn around forever

be flung into space into another kind of grace

who stands guard for each other

why must we guard anything at all

anything at all

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away now

whirl away

some giveth their hand

some giveth their land

some giveth their life

you lay in the fields of grain

the staff of life all around you

but yet you, you will cut someone down for their possessions

some material thing

and our children are being blown away like wishes in the wind

for the sake of their coat

or the colors of their coat

or the color of their skin

or the name on their shoes

and the mother cries «Why they taken my son?»

and the father wonders «Are they taking my boy?»

he extended his hand

he gave them his land

he gave them his bread

he gave them his heart

said hello friend

hello friend

hello friend

hello friend.

hello friend