I'm Not There

It may depend when
you joined the train
young people all
around the world
came on board
obedience denied
blood-stained patriotic flags
torn or burnt or furled
“why” their parents cried
as one voice came the shout
“because the bastards lied”

Drawn on board
by the music that
thrilled their souls
A decade older
the Pied Pipers beckoned
all aboard
Buddy Chuck and Jerry Lee
Elvis Eddie Gene
and Little Richard too
stirring youthful blood
genesis of the new

And all these callow riders
came to feel that
one of their number
captured their desires
awoke them from their slumber
expressed their inner fires
split their world asunder
and seemed as if he knew
where the train was headed
a journey terminating
where all was real and true

But he was just a rider
With an eye to make us see
there are no final answers
just the questions we must face
troubadour of why
peddler to our doubt
the minstrel of dissent
watched many leave the train
while others took their place
but he just rode the rails for ever
his passion never spent.