Traitor Bride
from The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride by Geoff Berner
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lyrics
An occupied town
Is like a prisoner who is bound
To fight and curse against the shackles that bind.
You are not supposed to pour
A cup of tea for a poor
Cold, homesick soldier from the wrong side.
She said, “Can’t you see,
His eyes are steady and his face is kind—
He was pressed into service against his will.
I don’t care what they say
I will go to him still,”
The soldier from the wrong side.
What do you think was said
When she screamed and she pled
After her mother found the drawer with the letters inside,
“Oh, you foolish little girl,
Nothing good can befall
Love with a soldier from the wrong side.”
She tried to run and warn him,
But her brothers barred the door,
And out into the darkness they did ride,
She was too late, too late to save him
Lieing face up in the rain,
The soldier from the wrong side.
She said, “Can’t you see,
His eyes are steady and his face is kind—
He was pressed into service against his will.
I don’t care what they say
I will go to him still,”
The soldier from the wrong side.
And when they shaved her head,
Dressed her in mocking white and led
Her through the streets as a traitor bride,
It was plain for all to see,
She’d long since joined the company
Of the soldier from the wrong side.
Is like a prisoner who is bound
To fight and curse against the shackles that bind.
You are not supposed to pour
A cup of tea for a poor
Cold, homesick soldier from the wrong side.
She said, “Can’t you see,
His eyes are steady and his face is kind—
He was pressed into service against his will.
I don’t care what they say
I will go to him still,”
The soldier from the wrong side.
What do you think was said
When she screamed and she pled
After her mother found the drawer with the letters inside,
“Oh, you foolish little girl,
Nothing good can befall
Love with a soldier from the wrong side.”
She tried to run and warn him,
But her brothers barred the door,
And out into the darkness they did ride,
She was too late, too late to save him
Lieing face up in the rain,
The soldier from the wrong side.
She said, “Can’t you see,
His eyes are steady and his face is kind—
He was pressed into service against his will.
I don’t care what they say
I will go to him still,”
The soldier from the wrong side.
And when they shaved her head,
Dressed her in mocking white and led
Her through the streets as a traitor bride,
It was plain for all to see,
She’d long since joined the company
Of the soldier from the wrong side.
credits
from The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride,
released January 1, 2007
Words and music by: Geoff Berner
Words and music by: Geoff Berner
license
all rights reserved
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about
Geoff Berner Vancouver, British Columbia
Singer / songwriter / accordionist / novelist Geoff Berner's music combines klezmer, punk, political satire and Balkan dance rhythms. He writes sharp, literate songs that make you want to weep, laugh, grind your teeth, or kick out a window - often all at the same time. Having built a cult following with his weirdly compelling stage presence, G.B. has a strange ability to create fun chaos. ... more
discography
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