By the Fire
© Colby Crehan 2007

In the old barge canal beneath them waters so foul
With the stink of greed and desire
Lays a body so quiet, hear her whisper tonight
Dear stranger won’t you warm me by your fire

By your fire, by your fire
Stranger won’t you warm me by your fire

On the prairies and plains watch the sun go down again
And you are left to sleeping all alone
And that howling that you hear it is closer than you fear
God’s creatures come to make themselves at home

By the fire, by the fire
God’s creatures come to make themselves at home

Now stories can be told of murders swift and cold
Committed by the wanderers and strays
Beneath the old hemlock trees, crouched down on your knees
Your fear has come and set your mind to pray

By the fire, by the fire
Your fear has come and set your mind to pray

Is it better just to hide, and close your weary eyes
To go and join that vagrant company
Forget that you’re a man, get down on your knees and hands
And crawl away to where no one else can see

By the fire, by the fire
And crawl away to where no one else can see