BURY ME STANDING

        
the wind blew from the fenland
'cross the big November sky
wind chimes sang uncertainly
all the camp was quiet

I look hard to the horizon
maybe soon they would come
with their suits and their papers
to move my people on

I saw a skylark rising 
from an empty field
another home we could have made
another home we have to leave

I'm tired of their permissions
to use what should be free
tired of heavy voices
telling me what I should be

if I fall bury me standing
if I fall won't you bury me deep?
I will not fade
I will not sleep 

the leaves of life are driven
ever since this world began
and the leaves of life have blown me round
more than any woman can

what I can't bear to remember 
is what I can't bear to forget
the road goes on forever
our time's not over yet

if I fall bury me standing
if I fall won’t you bury me deep?
I will not fade
I will not sleep