"Witness"

This song comes from a copyright collection called “In Case of Fizzle.” The title refers to the fact that the band JEREMIAH was on its last legs, and its survival was not at all certain. We did one last batch of recordings at Normandy Sound, with Phil Greene engineering and producing. The result: nothing. We broke up. The last incarnation of the band included Ron Ward on bass. Ron recently passed away, and it still seems unreal. He was just a few years older than I. Now I am trying to reinvent myself as an academic, and I’m not sure if it’s working or not. I’m reading and writing a lot, but am I really learning anything? Am I preparing myself for success?

Current listening: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Witness

© 1986 Brian Hutzell

You were there

You saw it all

You could have solved the mystery

You were scared

You never called

Another hole in history

Witness, scared shitless

You were called late at night

A threat to keep you quiet

You were told to testify

You know the truth but hide it

Witness lost interest

Witness, stay with us

Witness, it's serious business

"Hey, I understand: you don't want to get involved."

            It takes time

            It takes courage

"Just call me a chicken"

            It takes someone to speak out

"Listen to the words!"

Witness won't listen

Witness won't witness

Walking home you were attacked

You screamed to passers-by

You were ignored

Stabbed in the back

How dare you wonder why

Witness, now victim

Victim needs witness

Chicken, not witness

Victim of justice

"Doonesbirdie"

Brian Hutzell