4. THE MEN
poem by Norma Hardy (PAPD) ©2001 N. Hardy/music by Valerie Ghent (WTC Gr. 0)
©2002 V.Ghent/N.Hardy/Cavos Music (ASCAP), performed by Valerie Ghent - piano/vocals
recorded by Rich Tapper at Battery Studios 4/18/02, produced & mixed by Valerie Ghent

I've met stronger men I'm sure
I just don't remember when
With barreled chests and big strong arms
to carry our brothers in

I wish my shoulders now
were even more widely spread
so I could hold the grief we bear
and not waver from the dread

I've seen young men with tears in their eyes
they stand so tall, yet broken
and when we have to say goodbye
the words remain unspoken

we need to feel there's something
on which we can rely
and in our hours of anguish
we look up to the sky

and through the tears we shed
the wonders from above
remind us that we're here to show undying love

sometimes I think about the fact
that I've been truely blessed
for I have been called one of the men
an honor, nothing less

I've stood in the company of greatness
heard stories of children and wives
all from ordinary men
who were just trying to live their lives

now I hear words like hero
and it touches me within
for I've broken bread with heroes
but to me they are "the men"

I feel that now's the time
to get my message to
the men who I see daily
their greatness shines through

the pipers who respond
to our fallen brothers rites
they're exhausted and so weary
yes they play with so much might

I know there'll come a time
when we will all meet again
god's light will shine around us
but we must wait till then

now we say goodbye to our poet, a prankster,
a preacher and a friend
all of those we hold dear in our hearts
we say goodbye to "the men"

dedicated to our fallen comrades
Norma Hardy PAPD ©2001