“Symbol” by Celia

www.celiaonline.com

© 2006 Red Granite Goddess Publishing

(used with permission)

         capo iii

          G                     C              G

         1. An American Soldier   came home today,
          C                           C            G

            Wrapped up as cargo in an   American Flag.

          C                                 D              G
            He asked for one sweet, silent symbol on his grave.

          G                                   D            G
            But the VA guns* said “Sorry son,   request denied”. 

             G                            C                   G

         He served as any other with his hands and with his heart.

             C                             D              G
         He prayed to Father Sky, he fell down to Mother Earth.
             C                             D                G

         He honored Air and Water and the Fire he danced around.
                  G                           D               G

         But you didn't honor him before you put him in the ground. 

         CHORUS-1:

                 D                               C             G
         It's a symbol it's a sign it stands for everything divine.
             D                 D7                       C                   G

         Excuse me**, sir, I think*** you're wrong, I checked and the last time
                     G                 C              G               C

         I read the doctrine it said practicing your faith is not a crime.
 

           (Tag1):

                C   /B  /A   G  D/F#   (tacit)       G

            So let this soldier rest………Honor his request.

           (Tag2):
                        C    /B    /A   G  D/F#   (tacit)                   G

            So, if you make these children pray…  Let them do it their own way

           (Tag3):

                 C  /B  /A G  D/F#  (tacit)       G

            So, let his widow rest……Honor her request

                 G                     C                  G

         2. You sent that little girl crying home from school.
           C                            D             G

         Told her she was evil and she disobeyed the rules.
              C                    D                G

         You took away her pendant-- grandmother's gift.
                 G                                   D   G

         But the other kids are free to wear their crucifix. 

                   G                                     C             G

         And she knows that if you catch her that you'll   have her expelled.
                 C                                       D        G 

         She's frightened every member of her family is going to hell.
                C                                       D                G

         She's all messed up she's five years old, she doesn't know her rights.
                  G                        D7            G

         But her Daddy is a lawyer so get ready for the fight.     (Chorus-1 with Tag2)

             Bridge-1:

                           G                         D           G

              Freedom of speech. Freedom of faith. Freedom of religion.
                           G                D                G

              Freedom to stand up and fight   for what we believe in.

 

          G                         C              G

         3. He's a believer so he wears it on his arm. 

          C                                D        G
            First day, new job he set off all the alarms.

              C                                  D           G
         The memo spread like wildfire that the devil had arrived.

                  G                               D7           G
         And the virus got to corporate and they fired him by five. 

              G                         C               G

         Now all this misperception and everyone runs scared.

          C                              D           D7
           Scared of the neighbors and scared to declare.

                   G                     C                     G
         'Cuz the persecution's high: expelled, or fired or denied.
              G                               D             G

         So what the hell did our Ancestors fight so hard for?   (Chorus-1 with Tag3)

                        D                        C                       

          Chorus-2: So raise up your chisel and carve next to his name.
                     D                          C                  G

                    All that he held sacred and all that kept him sane.
                              D                              C

                    When you sent him off to war you didn't care what he believed.
                            G                    C                   D   D7

                    Now he served you with his blood, grant him his dignity.

                    Bridge-1:

                                 G                         D           G

                    Freedom of speech. Freedom of faith. Freedom of religion.
                                 G                 D                G

                    Freedom to stand up and fight    for what we believe in.  (repeat 4x)

 

                    Bridge-2:

                                G                          C       G

                    Freedom to die for your country and be   recognized
                            G                       D         G

                    With a symbol of honor in your country’s eyes. 

                    Bridge-1 and Bridge-2

                    Instrumental/crowd singing Bridge-1

                    Bridge-1 repeated several times

          -----------------------------------

          * "Pentagon" in earlier version

          ** "I'm sorry" after v.2 and after v.3

          *** "You're flat out wrong" after v. 3

          Go back to Cern's Pagan Songbook