Nightbirds


The nightbirds...	fell silent
  When she sang “Sweet Adeline”
Once in every few lifetimes
  A soul gets its moment to shine

It was hot...		in Alabama
  Sweat rolled out of every pore
Last night for the boys at Fort Rucker
  Tomorrow off to the war

Clancy Brown...	was just nineteen
  Grandson of the town's oldest whore
She got up from her cot in the attic
  Put on the wedding dress she never wore

She went down...	to the cathedral
  Where the boys were sending their prayers up above
She filled up that church with the voice of heaven
  Filled the battalion with hope and love

The nightbirds...	fell silent
  When she sang “Sweet Adeline”
Once in every few moments
  A soul gets its lifetime to shine