He was my brother

he was born the day I left

he took the mother lode

and I took all the rest

he was a fighter

he was always in control

he kept a candle burning

way down in his soul

Shots fired in anger

and a widow cries alone

just one more mother's son

who wo'nt be coming home

they speak in whispers

there are riders to the east

the blind man says

"Mister bring a bottle and a priest"

That's the way it always goes

that's the way it's always been

who you are or what you know

you're like a feather on the wind

let the river wash you 'way

reach the river if you can

past the blue and past the grey

all the way to no man's land

There was no shelter

there was nowhere left to run

they came like eagles screaming

down out of the sun

I heard the whistle sound

the engine pulled away

I saw my brother down

I left him where he lay

Some fight for honor

there are those that fight for gold

some die believing

all the fairy tales they're told

there are no heroes

and there is no marching band

there are no miracles down here

in no man's land

That's the way it always goes

that's the way it's always been

who you are or what you know

you're like a feather on the wind

let the river wash you 'way

reach the river if you can

past the blue and past the grey

all the way to no man's land