Lyrics

The Loyalist

I see my name, all over town
From the shop signs to the graveyard
I’ve wandered here, two hundred years
Through every generation
Sometimes I wonder do they ever think of me?
A distant figure from the past
Moss covered headstone, just a piece of history
Is my name fading out at last - I am the loyalist

Our crops were in, a well earned rest
We heard the hoof-beats in the twilight
And we were told, horses and gold
Were needed for the insurrection
And though I knew what it might cost us I replied,
“Whose bread I eat, his song I sing”
They beat me bloody, called me “filthy Tory spy”
But I would not betray my King - I am the loyalist

Bridge:

They said Revolution is the anvil, where freedom must be forged
They said that I should fight for freedom, but I owe liberty and life to King George

So once again, (come quickly now)
we had to flee (time's running out)
Taking just what we could carry (I'll never see this place again)
To try once more (We're moving forth)
on these rocky shores (The road leads north)
To build our farms in this new country
Like dancing beggars here, we did the best we could
Claiming the land by Shelburne Bay
I’ll run no further, I’m staying here for good
Though my descendants move away I am the loyalist

I see my name (I see my name)
all over town (all over town)
From the shop signs to the graveyard
I’ve wandered here (this is my home)
two hundred years (my haunted home)
Through every generation