Pale Horse

John Vanderslice · John Vanderslice Live At The Casbah 10/27/2004 [2011]

from the haunts of daily life

where is waged the daily strife

common wants and common cares

cuts the human heart with tears



rise like lions after a slumber

in greatly unknowable numbers



let the tyrants pour around

with apocalyptic sound

on the charge of iron wheels

and the crash of horse's heels



rise like lions after a slumber

in greatly unknowable numbers

free the blood that must ensue

we are many and they are few



from the workhouse and the prison

pale as corpses newly risen

knives are drawn now let them see

standing tall that say they're free



your strong and simple words

set to wound as sharpened swords

wide as targets let them be

with their shade to cover me



rise like lions after a slumber

in greatly unknowable numbers

free the blood that must ensue

we are many and they are few