John Forgot To Sing

Wave your flag you know he's coming with a smile for you

Distant voices softly humming of the things he'll do

The mothers came - the fathers came - the bells began to ring

They knew it was a special day and John forgot to sing

Horses' hooves and people cheering only for a day

What's this strange new sound you're hearing - can it always stay

The miners came - the farmers came - the bells began to ring

They knew it was a special day and John forgot to sing

Silently they sat and waited for his few kind words

Those who loved and those who hated - these few moments shared

The blacks were there - the whites were there - the bells began to ring

They knew it was a special day and John forgot to sing

Eat the love and drink the wisdom - all these things are free

I can't give you gold and kingdoms but I give you me

The mothers ate - the fathers drank - the bells began to ring

They knew it was a special day and John began to sing