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Cowards With Knives

by Stephen King

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sherryinhalifax
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Norma Reid
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about

A polemic or social commentary on violence that seems to border on epidemic now as then...

I composed this tune one fine fall day 15 years ago? While busking in my hometown of Ye' Olde Halifax, along the stretch of iron wrought fence by the Public Gardens. It was here that I met many artisans, citizens and the painter David King, who took this photographic visual pun atop Citadel Hill.(Note: Picture is cropped due to formatting ;-)

As I recall, four security guards were stabbed at a high school dance and the rest is song.

lyrics

They say the waltz is dead.
Those are pretty big words
For some who can’t admit that
they hurt

Sure as hell won’t give in

All they really know is what
They see on TV
…and the line is drawn and
Tempers flare so tragically

Is chivalry dead? I think so. Because
Gallantry goes with it
Who opens doors for women, anyway?
Who plays chess in the schoolyard today?
He was going to be a hero…
And he didn’t need a sharp edge

They put a brand new school in
Built a gymnasium out of recycled flooring
He was going to prove his worth
At the front of the classroom
Not in a hospital bed with an IV drip
You know it was so sad, I have to admit

Some want to be heroes and some want to fight
Some want to be counted
Cowards with Knives

They put flowers in the stands,
dedicated the first game of the season.
The sad thing is...
If some kid had read his
Shakespeare, he might have saved his own skin
by the grace of reading

Some want to be heroes and some want to fight
Some want to be counted
Cowards with Knives

So, sad.
What did you have to go and do that for?
You could have been courageous
You might go to jail for this

Yeah, somebody should have taught these kids
The pen is mightier then the joy-stick!

credits

released September 14, 2022
Lyric, Music, Arrangement - J.S. Stephen King (c) 2007
Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Keyboard, Electric Bass
Recorded in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Remastered in Victoria, BC
Chaos Music Publishing
SOCAN/ASCAP
Made in Canada
(MAPL)
Photo - David King (c)

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all rights reserved

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Stephen King Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

An award-winning guitarist well versed in folk & jazz combining genres into an amalgam of storytelling with improvisation, best described as indie-antifolk. Driven by experiences which express a personal, romantic and artistic idealism; at times political, while having social and environmental concern. Using craft and wit, the music draws inspiration from a range of traditions including Canadian. ... more

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