Loyalist and Patriot

Intro

(da-da-da) Oh—ah—oh

Verse

I saw the flag by the tavern door, ink still wet on a wooden sign

Some swore their debts to an absent king, some swore a different line

Cobblers, farmers, shopfront bells, morning frost and ragged clothes

We argued over who would lead, over who would pay the tolls

Pre-chorus

Say my name, say my name, who's right and who's to blame? (whoa)

There’s a county road between our yards, two fires under the same name

Chorus

Loyalist and Patriot, two coins spun from the same hand

Loyalist and Patriot, shouting at the border of this land

Loyalist and Patriot, we’re holding pieces of a plan

Loyalist and Patriot, oh-oh, oh-oh — which side will stand?

Verse

He keeps a portrait in the parlor, powdered wig and steady gaze

“My oaths are older than these riots,” he says, “don’t feed the blaze”

He remembers law by hearthlight, the crown in every debt and deed

Fear of what comes after burning, fear of hunger, fear of need

Pre-chorus

Say my truth, say my truth, I’m scared of what I might lose (yeah)

There’s a cart track tearing through our field, a name carved where children choose

Chorus

Loyalist and Patriot, two coins spun from the same hand

Loyalist and Patriot, shouting at the border of this land

Loyalist and Patriot, we’re holding pieces of a plan

Loyalist and Patriot, oh-oh, oh-oh — which side will stand?

Bridge

We traded coffee for musket smoke, letters folded, sealing wax

Sisters braided soldiers’ hair, fathers hid the militiamen's packs

At the courthouse steps they set their stakes, at the dock they watched the tides

We learned to name our enemies, then learned our enemies had mothers’ eyes (ah)

Chorus

Loyalist and Patriot, two coins spun from the same hand

Loyalist and Patriot, shouting at the border of this land

Loyalist and Patriot, we’re holding pieces of a plan

Loyalist and Patriot, oh-oh, oh-oh — which side will stand?

Chorus

Loyalist and Patriot, two coins spun from the same hand

Loyalist and Patriot, you can call me traitor or call me man

Loyalist and Patriot, we took a line and drew a line in sand

Loyalist and Patriot, oh-oh, oh-oh — which side will stand?

Outro

(ta-ta-touch) The road goes on — feet leave prints, letters fade on the mantelpiece

(hey) We kept our names, we kept our bones, and somewhere the bell rings for peace