Before the War (Paul O’Brien)

We used to skip
(Before the war)
We used to sing
(Before the war)
And we could dance
We could believe
There was no star
Stitched to our sleeve

We used to play
Before the war
And we made hay
Before the war
We ran our shops
We had our laws
We offered god
Our marriage vows

But the star of Bethlehem
Came between us and them
The star the wise men drew
Is taking me from you
These men they send us east
In wagons made for beasts
To work and make them
Stronger than before
Beyond their wildest dreams
Before the war

Remember how
Before the war
We were friends
Before the war
And when I write
I’ll send my love
On passions wings
Like Noah’s dove

Remember me
Before the war
Before you sleep
Before the war
Before their boots
Echoed through our street
Remember me
In every girl you meet

But the star of Bethlehem
Came between us and them
The star the wise men drew
Is taking me from you
These men they send us east
In wagons made for beasts
To work and make them
Stronger than before
Beyond their wildest dreams
Before the war