The Pegasus Awards

	The Ones Who Walked Away Beth Kinderman

Pegasus Award
Award	Year	Category
	2025	Best Hero Song

 

 

The Ones Who Walked Away

Copyright © by Beth Kinderman
Used by permission - All Rights Reserved

(chorus)
you can ask me why I stayed there
but don't assume I didn't see it
don't assume I didn't care
cause I will not cede this city
to the ones who looked the other way
by walking with the ones who walked away

I have seen the boats in harbor
I have heard the bells that ring
felt the joy of all the people
as they celebrate & sing
I have been down in that basement
I have seen the child in chains
& I've justified my actions
in the face of so much pain
so I can't say that I blame you
if you leave & don't return
it's just I never could accept
that every one of us should burn

(chorus)

so I went up to the monster
& I said, let us break bread
& I sat there at his table
slept uneasy in his bed
I said, what a lovely family
I said, what a lovely home
mine is burdened, mine is fearful
not so different from your own
& it isn't satisfying
doesn't deal in awe or shock
to be that steady nagging trickle
slowly wearing down the rock

(chorus)

& of course I hate this place
as the minutes turn to hours
& of course I hate myself
as the hours turn to days
but I can't convince myself
the ones who started this aren't human
& I can't convince myself
the right road only runs one way

you may say I've grown complicit
I'll allow you may be right
I have asked all these same questions
in the middle of the night
through reform or revolution
either way, lives will be lost
& there's not a simple answer
when we calculate the cost
so come back here with an army
do your duty, it can't wait
& I will greet you with my banners
when I open wide the gate

(chorus x2)

at least that's what I tell myself

 

    Contact