I Met A Young Soldier

He Said His Name Was Killer Kyle

He Was Shakin' All Over

Like A Night-frightened Child

This Is His Story

It's A Tough One For Me To Sing

Hard As The Squawk And The Flap

And The Beat Of--the Beat Of Black Wings



"They Gave Me A Gun," He Said

"They Gave Me A Mission

For The Power And The Glory--

Propaganda--piss On 'em

There's A War Zone Inside Me--

I Can Feel Things Exploding--

I Can't Even Hear The Fucking Music Playing

For The Beat Of--the Beat Of Black Wings."



He Said, "I Never Had Nothin'--

Nothin' I Could Believe In

My Girl Killed Our Unborn Child

Without Even Grievin'!

I Put My Hands On Her Belly

To Feel The Kid Kickin'--damn!

She'd Been To Some Clinic

Oh--the Beat Of Black Wings."



"They Want You--they Need You--

They Train You To Kill--

To Be A Pin On Some Map--

Some Vicarious Thrill--

The Old Hate The Young

That's The Whole Heartless Thing

The Old Pick The Wars

We Die In 'em

To The Beat Of--the Beat Of Black Wings."



There's A Man Drawing Pictures

On The Sidewalk With Chalk

Just As Fast As He Draws 'em

Rain Come Down And Wash 'em Off

"Keep The Drinks Comin' Girl

'Til I Can't Feel Anything

I'm Just A Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm

I'm Just The Beat Of Black Wings."