[Cold Open – Spoken] “Where are you going?” “Home.” “Home is that way.” “I live here.” “Not anymore.” [Verse 1] His face was hidden by a scarf now But I still knew the way he stood We used to race along this roadside Back when the road belonged to us He held the rifle across his body Asked where I’d been and why I came I almost called him by his nickname Then saw his eyes and used his name Three other boys were at the barrier Two I knew from years ago Nobody smiled, nobody moved much He pointed once and said, “Go slow.” [Hook] Before the gun, we knew his name He kicked a ball outside our gate Same two streets, same evening sun Then came the rules, then came the guns Before the gun, he laughed too loud His mother called him from the crowd Now he asks where I belong I say, “Right here.” He says, “Move on.” [Verse 2] The tailor keeps his radio quiet No music spills into the street New rules are nailed beside the doorway Nobody knows who signed the sheet They measure sleeves, they close the schoolyard They question girls who walk alone A man who taught us both our letters Packed one bag and left his home People speak in smaller sentences Doors get bolted before dark Everybody knows who vanished Nobody asks after the cars [Turnaround] At dinner Mum says, “Who was there?” “Him.” “The boy from the old house?” “Yeah.” She stares down at her plate a while. Then: “Don’t take that road tomorrow.” [Verse 3] That night the corner shop was burning Smoke went black above the roofs Someone said the owner argued Someone else said that wasn’t true By morning glass was in the gutter Ash had settled on the gate His mother stood across the roadway Calling out the name she gave He stood there with the others watching Rifle hanging by his side She called again, a little louder He looked at her and turned his eyes [Hook] Before the gun, we knew his name He kicked a ball outside our gate Same two streets, same evening sun Then came the rules, then came the guns Before the gun, he laughed too loud His mother called him from the crowd Now he asks where I belong I say, “Right here.” He says, “Move on.” [Break – Half-Spoken] People say war changes men. Maybe. But somebody still has to choose who lights the match, who shuts the door, who looks away. [Final Hook] Before the gun, I knew his name Before the scarf, before the hate Same two streets, same evening sun Same two boys before the guns Before the gun, he knew me too Knew my mother, knew this road Now he tells me where I belong I look at him. And walk home. [Outro – Spoken] His mother still calls him by the old name. “Show me.” “…Mum.” “Show me.”
