On the nineteenth day of April
In 1995
There was the worst car bombing
Near 200 people died
In Oklahoma City
On Wednesday, 9 o'clock
They struck the Federal building
Took out near half a block
They thought it was an earthquake
Made trees and light poles bend
And folks thought they were seeing
The world come to an end
They blew the building open
It lay there like a wound
Twisted pipes and wires
And silent like a tomb
Yes, they blew the building open
And blew folks' lives apart
Firefighters mumbling
And wondering where to start
They rushed out some survivors
But soon could only cry
And place the dead in caskets
And ask the dear Lord, "Why?"
Prayers for the missing
For daughters and for sons
Prayers for the souls of those
Who'd never hurt a one
Kevin Small was lucky
His clock needed repair
He overslept an hour
His three year old son was spared
But for too many others
The news was not so bright
One baby got her picture in the paper
Then she died
The President, he promised
They'd pay dearly for the blast
And all across the country
Flags were flying at half mast
Shock soon turned to anger
"Who would do this?" people said
And anyone suspicious
Had a price upon their head
They thought it was some Arabs
And folks began to scream,
First tighten up the borders
Then hang ‘em from a tree
This proves what we been saying
'Bout our fair and gentle land
Nobody who did this
Could be an American
The FBI got busy
Some drawings and some names
And everyone was looking for
Someone else to blame
Some fifty hours later
Early Friday day
They found the man they wanted
In jail, ten miles away
A so-called right extremist
A patriot government foe
An expert on explosives
And white as driven snow
When people heard the news
They found it hard to understand
How could such a murderer
Come from our own land?
But when we build walls and borders
From fear and hate and guns
The hatred turns around and
Strikes at everyone
Maybe now we'll understand
Maybe now we'll see
Super patriots are seldom
Friends of you and me
They're scared and weak and cowards
And they think that with their guns
The ones they're most afraid of
Will turn around and run
But when we stand strong together
And let love enjoy its will
Misfortune can't defeat us
It makes us stronger still
Like on the nineteenth day of April
In 1995
A day all Oklahomans will
Remember all their lives
Oklahoma Lyrics performed by Dan Bern are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that Oklahoma Lyrics performed by Dan Bern is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD