What can I do, for I'm just one man?
And I know injustice abounds in our land,
And just because I can do only little,
I'll keep down my voice and stay in the middle.
I am just one man, and I have been told,
That government agents attack all the bold,
They infiltrate meetings and join all the groups,
So don't expect me to stand up to their troops.
For I am just one man and liberty fails,
The best of our leaders are rotting in jails,
So who is the one who will show me the way,
Since I am no leader, and its not my day?
What can I do, for I'm only me?
And I know that no matter what I may see,
I can feel justified here in my woods,
Hiding myself and stashed away goods.
What can I do, for I am just one?
And everyone knows that it wasn't MY son,
When they burned down a church and killed 87,
I whispered a prayer and sent it to heaven.
Don't brother me, for I'm just one man,
Making a living the best that I can,
And though I have purchased a lot of gun toys,
It was only so I could be one of the boys.
I am just one man, so what can I do,
When I hear of neighbors killed for their views.
That is the time that I will refuse,
To purchase a paper or turn on the news.
What can I do, for I am alone?
And they haven't yet gotten to my family's home,
So if I am quiet and hide like a mouse,
Perhaps they will pass me for my neighbors house.
I am just one man, so what can I say?
I just want to live till I'm wrinkled and gray,
When innocent blood cries up from the ground,
Don't look for me, for I won't be around.
Don't call on me, for I'm just one,
And even though innocents need of my hand,
I'll cover my eyes and plug up my ears,
And drown out conscience with twenty-four bars.
Don't call on me, for I'm just one,
Who just wants to live out my days in the sun.
So don't tell me stories that hurt me to think,
Instead, we should go to the pub for a drink.
I know that one man cannot save the day,
So give me a break and get out of my way,
And go tell your stories to someone who's brave,
For I find it easy to just be a slave.
Across all the land ten million men cried,
And all of them fed on the very same lies.
And evil has triumphed for nothing was done,
While ten million men said, " I'm only one."
By Jay Merrell