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.