10/11/2006

Who Will Take My Place

Who Will Take My Place performed by The Duhks (it's track 6)

If they shoot me down to shut me down.
Who will take my place?
If they bring an army into this town.
Who will take my place?
If they rule this land and silence me,
when I'm laid out with injury,
when my words won't matter anymore,
who will take my place?

Revolution, you are not my own.
Who will take my place?
There are flowers painted on these stones.
Who will take my place?
When the silence of oppression dies,
overheard beyond the battle cries,
are the words the final compromise.
Who will take my place?

When the dogs of war are on the land,
who will take my place?
When you forfeit life to take a stand,
who will take my place?
When the dreamers fear the simplest thought.
When the bloodshed's taken all you've got.
When this world's an empty, creaking floor.
Who will take my place?

If they rule this land and silence me,
while I'm laid out with injury.
When my words won't matter anymore,
who will take my place?
Who will take my place?

written by Dan Frechette, inspired by Michael Collins. This song has been on my brain non-stop for the past couple of days. The rest of the CD, Migrations, is great, the Duhks female lead singer whose name is escaping me (Jessee Harvey?) has a terrific, smoky voice, but this song just kills me.

I never thought in all my days I would send my readers to Country Music Television, but please, check this song out. It's more Irish than Country.

1 comment:

My Word said...

Re more Irish than country, yes! I think they're a mix of old-time and Irish with a strong strain of post-Dylan singer/songwriter mixed in.
I saw them at the SW Va FloydFest last year. They were the best group in a strong lineup.
If you like them, you might like the Roadside Graves too.
Lisa Tracy/ Objects of Our Affection