Soldier Called Uriah

When we were young we used to pray together.
We were closer than the fingers of one hand.
But the Lord made you king, and that changed everything:
I became a slave to your command.

I saw you start to gaze upon my woman.
With all you had, what did you want her for?
But I was in your way, and there soon came a day
when you told me you were sending me off to the war.

Oh but I have returned.
I’m not a ghost, I’m not the Messiah.
I am the man you sent to fight for you.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.

I was down by the Tigris River.
There we heard a roadside bomb.
I saw people with no legs bleeding by the tent-pegs
and I realized just what was going on:

All of us we’d been sent there to die.
There was never another reason why we came.
We were sent to fight so you could feed your appetites
and let some enemy take all of the blame.

Oh but I have returned.
Go tell it from the top of Mt. Moriah.
I am the man you sent to fight for you.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.

Now the history-books say that I never came back –
but they just say what you want them to.
The truth is: there are a million other men like me
who are coming home and coming after you.

So I know on some level I’m your brother
and maybe I’d do the same if I was king,
but I’m going to tell you in advance, if I ever get the chance
I will kill you and I will not feel a thing.

Oh I have returned.
Come out and meet your pariah.
I am the man you sent to fight your fucking war.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.
I am the soldier they call Uriah.

Tam Lin