Song title: The wall
The wall - Album version
Cigarettes and a bottle of beer this poem that I wrote for you
This black stone and these hard tears are all I got left now of you
I remember you in your Marine uniform laughin’, laughin’ at your ship out party
I read Robert McNamara says he's sorry
Your high boots and striped T-shirt, Billy you looked so bad
You and your rock-n-roll band you were best thing this shit town ever had
Now the men who put you here eat with their families in rich dining halls
And apology and forgiveness got no place here at all at the wall
I’m sorry I missed you last year, I couldn't find no one to drive me
If your eyes could cut through that black stone, tell me would they recognize me
For the living time it must be served, the day goes on
Cigarettes and a bottle of beer, skin on black stone
On the ground dog tags and wreaths of flowers, with ribbons red as the blood
Red as the blood you spilled in the Central Highlands mud
Limousines rush down Pennsylvania Avenue rustling the leaves as they fall
Apology and forgiveness got no place here at all
Here at the wall
Notes:
Lyrics as publisched on the High Hopes album
The wall - Pre-album version
Cigarettes and a bottle of beer
This poem I wrote for you
This black stone and these hard tears
Are all I've got left now of you
I remember you in your Marine uniform laughing
Laughing that you're shipping out probably
I read Robert McNamara says he's sorry
You and your boots and black t-shirt
Ah Billy you looked so bad
Ya, you and your rock and roll band
Was the best thing this shit town ever had
Now the man who put you here
He feeds his family in rich dining halls
And apology and forgiveness have no place here at all
At the wall
I'm sorry I missed you last year
I couldn't find no one to drive me
If your eyes could cut through that black stone
Tell me would they recognize me?
For the living, time must be served
Life goes on
Cigarettes and a bottle of beer
Skin on black stone
High School pictures, paper flowers
Ribbon, red as the blood
Ya, as the blood you spilled
In the Central Highlands mud
Now the limousines rush down Pennsylvania Boulevard
As the rain falls
And apology and forgiveness have no place here at all Notes:
Lyrics assung per High Hopes releases
Published on the following official releases:
Very few performances of this songs are known (to me, at least!):
- 19/02/2003 Somerville Theatre, Somerville,MA ,USA during the "Double take" nights 2003
- 20/02/2003 Somerville Theatre, Somerville,MA ,USA during the "Double take" nights 2003
- 11/11/2005 Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk,VA ,USA during the Devils and Dust tour
- 16/11/2005 Continental Arena, E.Rutherford,NJ ,USA during the Devils and Dust tour
- 12/04/2014 Farm Bureau Live, Virginia Beach,VA ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 17/04/2014 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville,TN ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 19/04/2014 Time Warner Arena, Charlotte,NC ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 22/04/2014 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh,PA ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 29/04/2014 BB and T Center, Sunrise,FL ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 13/05/2014 Times Union Center, Albany,NY ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 14/05/2014 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey,PA ,USA during the High Hopes tour
- 22/05/2014 Soldiers and Sailors Hall, Pittsburgh,PA ,USA
Data from the www.brucespringsteen.it database
First known live performance: 19/02/2003 Somerville Theatre, Somerville,MA ,USA
Last known live performance: 22/05/2014 Soldiers and Sailors Hall, Pittsburgh,PA ,USA
Song 'history':
Played during the 'Double Take' shows in 2002
Bruce gave this song only two shots through the Devils and Dust tour (11/11/2005 Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk,VA ,USA and 16/11/2005 Continental Arena, E.Rutherford,NJ ,USA)
Published on the 'HIGH HOPES' Album, released in January 2014.
Just less than a dozen shots during the High Hopes tour
The song was also played in informal happenings or off-tour appearances
Data from the www.brucespringsteen.it database