Todd Snider The Ballad Of Cape Henry Lyrics

I served as a sailor; it was back in ?81.
I can't say i'm sorry; I volunteered for what I done.
We trained and we waited; we would not be outdone.
Then one day six battleships came out of the rising
sun.

So we all manned our stations. We passed a jug of wine.
We waited with patience; we waited for a sign.
First thunder, then lightning, then the ringing in my
ears,
I can still hear that screaming, even after all of
these years.

Chorus:
Cape Henry, Cape Henry, the battlefield?s on fire
With water, white water with those flames climbing
higher
We fired our cannon at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore

Our deck was in tatters. That smoke was thick and
Black.
For each shot they fired we fired two right back. And then I felt my shoulder, and then something knocked
me down.
Yeah, the last thing I remember was that water all
around.

Chorus

So, I woke up in Richmond with a medal on my chest.
And I know that I earned it 'cause I know that I did my
best.
We did lose that battle, but i'd hear we?d won the war;
So, I headed back home and I waited for my reward.

I plough this man?s field now from morning until night.
That war took my left arm; i'm just a-working with my
right.
I guess I fought for the freedom of some richer man up
north.
But I still fight for something. This plough goes back
and forth.

Chorus
Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore.