Civilians Lyrics - Joe Henry

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