Hired Hand

Verse 1

The old man was out in the field

Said he was feeling better

Wanted to see the land

I nodded, and told him about the letter

Verse 2

The Company said deal was fair

Of sound and clean design

Good terms, they said

Just put the name on the dotted line

Pre-Chorus

He looked out at the barn

His hands, then at the sky

Said a man don't sell himself

That was all the answer he'd supply

Chorus

But what do I know of rifles and guns

I'm just a hired hand

Who fixes things and tends to the cattle

And keeps tilling the land

Verse 3

The man in the black came one day

Said the offer wouldn't last much longer now

The old man nodded and stepped inside

They burned the barn down - didn't matter how

Verse 4

He sat till dawn in the ashes, quiet

Never cried, never said a prayer

Just stood up when the light came

Walked to the house with soot in his hair

Chorus

But what do I know of rifles and guns

I'm just a hired hand

Who fixed what needed fixin'

And worked this honest land

Pre-Chorus

He gave to me something folded

Pressed it in my hand without a word

The letter, unanswered

The quietest thing that I've ever heard

Verse 5

I looked at it, long and hard

Remembered all the times I had it good

Felt wrong not to try, and...

Just ignore that you can and should

Chorus

But what do I know of rifles and guns

I'm just a hired hand

Who played alongside all the little ones

On this bloodied land

Narration

I don't know what I thought I was going to do...

Walk up to their door, I suppose...

Maybe not say anything at all...

Verse 6

I cleaned my rifle, walked out at sunrise

Down the main road straight into town

The Company's flag was flying on the building

I didn't slow my step, didn't look around

Verse 7

The man in black stepped out, took his seat

Like he'd been waiting on me all along

And from the alleys, others came out easy

The kind of men who know just where they belong

Chorus

But what do I know of rifles and guns

I'm just a hired hand

Who played with the little ones

And now must make a stand

Narration

You can't begrudge them other men...

They're just hired hands...

But they chose who'd hire them...

And they know where they stand...