Shawn Phillips: For Rlk Jfk & Mlk

On a bright murky Tuesday dawning
Over all those mountain crowns
Come a young cat swinging softly
Laying truth down on all the town
And the people come a digging his gentle lick
While the fuzz stood around and frowned
And the church was aghast at this blasphemy
Said we've got to put this cat down
But you may not know he's been there till a long time after he's gone

And the church said you know we stand for truth
But we've got to be organized
We've got money in the pocket
Anybody don't like it
Can be excommunikized
And you can't buy back a single soul
That's been lost in all those wars of sides
And he didn't believe money or political power
Could be seen in God's great eyes
But you may not know he's been there till a long time after he's gone

And his face was a mirror of lovely light
While he went around hearing sounds
People talking this, people talking that
Saying we're based upon these grounds
But you could tell he was thinking of other folks
People living in far off mounds
People who'd never seen a movie or nothing
While the fuzz stood around and frowned
But you may not know it's been there till a long time after it's gone

So he was here a few weeks and spread his good word
Said looking inside is right
'Cause the inside is where you'll find your freedom
Your happiness and your sight
When the power party went and found a pawn with a rifle
Said put him into your sights
And the man went out and he found his mark
And he turned off his lovely light

So when you're walking in the evening
Or you're awaking to a lovely dawn
Or you're running round telling people what to do
Or just out to cut your lawn
Or you're going to build a mighty bridge
Or write out a lovely song
Remember that the word goes on and on
And forever is mighty long
Remember that the word goes on and on
And forever is mighty long
But you may not know it's been there 'till a long time after it's gone