A Hanging Matter

When the stranger came to town
He didn't mean to cause disconcertment
He never really had a chance since
Nonconformity
Was their reason to break down
His well-pleased independence
'cause it didn't quite comply
With their own life-understanding

Look, he's sent to the gallows
He stands up straight and sings:

Yeah -
Bless yourself
You'll never take
Nor will you make
My spirit break

(and) all the people looking blank
Not a single soul objecting
As the freethinker's head sank while
Re-established truth

Did stabilize their peace
Suppressing the distracting
But evil begets evil -
So they can't suppress his tune

He stands up straight and sings -

Yeah -
Bless yourself
You'll never take
Nor will you make
My spirit break

People that we are -
They are the people that we are -
The fuckin' people that we are…

And so he sings:
Can't you -
Can't you see that my heart's so pure?

Yeah -
Bless yourself
You'll never take
Nor will you make
My spirit break