Joe Jencks

Why Are The Guns Still Firing

Along the battery in Charleston, South Carolina
The ancient silent cannons point to sea
In 1851 they fired on Fort Sumter
The dead and wounded still cry out to you and me

Why are the guns still firing
Why are the innocent laid low
Why is this war still raging
That should have ended long ago

That war was fought in part to put an end to slavery
The nation’s shame we never should forget
One hundred fifty years ago the gunners finally rested
But shameless violence enslaves us yet

Now nine new souls are added to the millions
Who’ve lost their lives in this uncivil war
And it remains unto us the living
To spike the guns of hate forever more

© Si Kahn, Joe Hill Music ASCAP