Killing Ground Lyrics

Utah Phillips Killing Ground

See the flags waving so bravely they fly
The old men all cheering the young girls all cry
The train pulls away you can hear the drum roll sound
Another young boy going onto the killing ground

The year passes slowly and now he's coming home
In a railroad baggage car he lies all alone
In a flag draped coffin they carry him down
Another young boy home from the killing ground

The newspapers tell of a funeral and soon
The old men meet to gather up in the judgement room
They look down the register to see who might be found
To take a young boy's place out on the killing ground

Why did our mothers give lives to you and me
To be gambled away far over the sea
When will the young people turn this world around
And send the one's who make the wars onto the killing ground