[Verse 1] We came for pay And stayed for less A line on a map A name on a mess They called it a state Said it would hold But lines are cheap When bought with gold [Pre-Chorus] You don’t see far You see your side [Chorus] They paid in copper They paid in dust They paid in something Close to trust We took the wage We took the name And left with neither Quite the same [Verse 2] Sun burned white On wire and tin You learn real fast What side you’re in A week in a town Then gone again You don’t mark graves You just count men [Pre-Chorus] You tell yourself It’s work, not war [Chorus] They paid in copper They paid in dust They paid in something Close to trust We took the wage We took the name And left with neither Quite the same [Bridge] There was a church That held the heat A man inside Wouldn’t leave his seat He said: “This land Remembers you” I said: “It won’t It never do” But I still hear What he said then More than the guns More than the men [Break] (No flag. No claim.) [Final Chorus] They paid in copper They paid in dust They paid in something Close to trust We took the wage We took the blame And lost the need To name the game [Outro] Years go thin But don’t let go You think you left But you just move slow
