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THE MARTYR'S TALE
THE MARTYR'S TALE
(T. Beechey)
I'd like to tell you a story, one of courage and of pride
Of duty and of glory and of freedom denied
About one who devoted his entire life to peace
And, in the end, was demoted to a world without release
He was a man of principle
Whose descendants were the same
He didn't call himself invincible
Cause he wore a humbled name
But he stood for what he believed in
And for what he knew was right
Even as his dreams were thieved in
The darkness of the night
I'd like to tell you a story, one of courage and of pride
Of duty and of glory and of freedom denied
About one who devoted his entire life to peace
And, in the end, was demoted to a world without release
He awoke to the sounds of gunfire
Right outside of his front door
His choices were to die or
Defend the name he wore
And, though he was a peaceful soul
Sometimes there is a price
So, rather than become a toll
He became a sacrifice
I'd like to tell you a story, one of courage and of pride
Of duty and of glory and of freedom denied
About one who devoted his entire life to peace
And, in the end, was demoted to a world without release
His defenses, they were all in vain
They dubbed his words as lies
Every chance that he tried to explain
He was met with downcast eyes
The verdict, it was sure and swift
And the gavel swifter still
He was cast aside like a birthday gift
That no longer held a thrill
I'd like to tell you a story, one of courage and of pride
Of duty and of glory and of freedom denied
About one who devoted his entire life to peace
And, in the end, was demoted to a world without release
His world is now a prison cell
Just a cot and iron bars
And this is where he will dwell
Till the sky's devoid of stars
But he harbors no bitterness
Just a yearning for mankind
To seek joy and happiness
Which were never his to find
I'd like to tell you a story, one of courage and of pride
Of duty and of glory and of freedom denied
About one who devoted his entire life to peace
And, in the end, was demoted to a world without release
