Lyrics

He carried all of the weight
When the time came to make our escape
And though I don’t want to lose him
I might have to put him down

Stars that lead the way
On the darkness of the plains
And though I don’t want to lose him
I can tell that he’s slowing down

A little weaker with every step
I hear him breathing in shorter breaths

The days won’t obey the clocks
The winds disobey the rocks
And though I don’t want to lose him
I’m putting the old boy down

It’s hard to find some faith
On the loneliness of the plains
And though I don’t want to lose him
I’m putting the old boy down

Every frightened one needs a friend
To walk them out to the end

Some acts of mercy can be
Cruel to the one who has to keep his cool
But he knows he's got to see it through
Cause there’s no daily ration
To measure for compassion here
Dear involuntary volunteer

There’s nothing that I wouldn’t trade
If I could give him back all of his strength
And though I hated to leave him
I’m putting the old boy down

There’s a loneliness on the plains
It's the only thing that tends the graves
And though I hate to leave him
I’m putting the old boy down

I’ve got a memory of a friend
Who showed me how to face the end

The sundown is on it’s way
I know that mercy shouldn’t be delayed
And now my only companion
Is nowhere to be found

There’s a mirror over every grave
And even the fearless can become afraid
Out where the plains are endless
And the wind is the only sound