So men are still at war in Ireland For certain songs and certain dates The tender gave way to the firebrand And Europe gave way to the states So now that moneys all but scentless Noses and consciences are clear The pointless flowers can be dispensed with But see a friend in tears So our defeats are just reminders Of death that waits behind it all The body wilts before the mind does Surprised to see how soon it falls Its true our women have deceived us All hunted species disappear Its true weve shot the golden eagles But see a friend in tears Its true our cities are exhausted Made by and for the middle age Our weakness gave them more than force did We thought that love could cure a toothache And in the underground were drowning Accelerating through the years You who think youll find the truth by frowning See a friend in tears Its true our mirrors dont show heroes We lack the courage to be Jews Without the elegance of negroes With our youthful fireworks all defused And all these men who are our brothers Wonder why we dont want to hear How their worst enemies are their lovers See a friend in tears
true, tear, gave, friend, certain