A Stranger And A Friend

The creeks are frozen over now
The winter takes its toll
On the farmer and the dreamer
On the destitute and old
I’m sitting by this lamplight
With heavy heart and pen

There were no sad partings
No tears goodbye
You didn’t stop to look at me
I didn’t wonder why
They dressed you up in green and grey
And pushed you to the end
Now I’m writing you this letter
As a stranger and a friend

And when your flag is all unfurled
And flying free again
Ah come home
Not as a stranger as a friend

Now you’re in a distant land
A land of sweat and fear
You’re frightened by the border guards
By every noise you hear
With polished gun and bayonet
Whose pride do you defend?
Now I’m writing you this letter
As a stranger and a friend

The nights are so much blacker now
You’re looking at the sky
You drank your fill, you spat it out
Your talk is full of lies
I’ll wait until this river flows
I’ll meet you at the bend
Now I’m writing you this letter
As a stranger and a friend

And when your flag is all unfurled
And flying free again
Ah come home
Not as a stranger as a friend