Isaac Everett

Shadow of the pyramid, crack of the whip
Rattle of the shackles as they packed us in the ship
Our history was strangled in the missionary’s grip
I earned myself a hanging but I couldn’t stop my lips

Lost my land in the wake and my limbs to the mill
Turned to ash at the stake at the inquisitor’s will
Dug a massacre-grave I was killed to fulfill
When I shake with the rage and god help me - I can’t sit still.

God help me - I can’t sit still.

In a passage of her temple where I gave up my ghosts
So brave and bold and gentle as a wave against the coast
She led me to the center of a maze and blazed aglow
My shepherdess and savior brought me back into the fold

In my fright and desire, guided by a primal will
Been the bull and the fighter closing in for the kill
Been the fly and the spider in a spiraling thrill
Like a moth to the fire god help me - I can’t sit still

God help me - I can’t sit still

And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by
When the women ask why a good man died
And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by
When a frightened child cries sleeping outside
And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by
When they say I can’t change it and I can’t try
And all the same old hate crimes
Saints on jail-time, sinners planting land-mines
And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by
With our lives in the hands of the bad guys
And I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by
As they televise the end of mankind

If I rave and drool and holler can you stop me with a pill?
If I make another dollar can I knock off all these bills?
Can I wade through the squalor? Go out thrashing in the swill
I’m a dog in a choke-chain collar - but I can’t sit still
God help me - I can’t sit still
God help me - I can’t sit still
God help me - I can’t sit still.
I’m a dog in a choke-chain collar but - I can’t sit still