As I Lay Here Dying

And as lay here dying,
With my brother by my side 
I dream of things that never were,       
I dream with my eyes open wide. 
I saw green fields, I saw forests,
I saw the beaches and the sand 
As I lay here dying and as you held my hand. 

Oh brother can you feel my heart beat, hear it pumping in my chest 
We marched for many hours, it is time now that we rest. 
Oh as long as you are with me, there’s still life in these aging bones 
As I lay here dying, I am glad, I’m not alone. 

As I lay here dying
And the air as cold as sweat
Come a little closer, 
Don’t leave me just yet.
It feels like I can touch the silence
That echoes through the valleys and the hills 
As I lay here dying, the drums of war have all gone still. 

Oh brother tell me we’re victorious and reassure me we were right 
Brother, I need you to tell me that God was on our side.
So eerie is the darkness that creeps under my skin
As I lay here dying, forgive me I have sinned.               

As I lay here dying,
Swear that you’ll remember me
And that you tell the folks back home
I gave my life so they be free.
And make sure you tell my mother that I found peace among the doom 
As I lay here dying and the magnolias sway in bloom 

Oh brother may the road you travel, lead you where you long to be 
May your feet be swift to carry you from sea to shining sea
Oh rest assured my brother, sleep comes as gentle as a dove
And as I lay here dying, I felt nothing but love.
And as I lay here dying, I felt nothing but love.
And as I lay here dying, I felt nothing.

Music & Lyrics by John Allen.