War At the End of the World
by Jerry Joseph

Well from a captain's cabin
Lady Lebanon
Carnival St. Mary
Get the counselor o the phone
You see there's been a change of strategy
Everything's gone wrong
We're pulling anchors in the morning
We must be moving on
And then they sailed off in the sunset
Some against their will
They sailed into the month of April
Landed in Brazil
She said, "We'll stay here with the circus
A little time to kill
Welcome to the New World
This is not a drill"

So they camped under the big top
Elephants and snakes
Bearded lady and the lizard boy
Tired of the wait
They could sense the battle looming
See the demons at the gate
They said, "If Christ is really coming
Pray he isn't late."
Then Gabriel and Marona
Were holding hands
Jesus couldn't make it
We're sure you'll understand
And he wanted you to know
He appreciates your helping hand
In this world of good and evil
Time for you to make a stand

It was the war at the end of the world
It was the war at the end of the world
They probably were not ready
Had the flags unfurled
The war at the end if the world

They loaded up the cannons
Polished up the swords
And the band played Eddie Hinton
They marched against the hoards
The bearded native said I may die young
At least I won't be bored
Let us triumph over evil
In service of the Lord
And then they fought with smiles and bravery
Devil had them in retreat
St. Mann swung his battle-ax
Bodies piled up his feet
They could smell the sky was burning
Blood ran waist deep in the street
I hate to tell you lady
This ain't no way to beat the heat

It was the war at the end of the world
It was the war at the end of the world
They fought it for the children
Little boys and girls
It was the war at the end of the world

Then the dwarf said to the counselor
Hammers all been used
And you better tell our lady
I think we're gonna lose
They're not taking any prisoners
They'll kill us all before they're through
I must admit the thought of hell
Is giving me the blues
And St. Mann he chimed in
I think I must concur
That the battle's going badly
And it's getting worse
And all our holy water
Will never drown this curse
And I'd rather leave here running
Than leave here in a hearse
And then the counselor said to me
I hate to break it you son
But I've been watching you for hours
And you're lousy with a gun
If it is your intention to see the rising sun
St. Mann's on the money
I think you better run
And as I turned tail
Our lady said, "I ain't afraid to die
The sun is really sinking
Take it to the skies
And if I go down in gunfire
Can't say I didn't try."
She jumped into the pyre
Tears of victory in her eyes

It was the war at the end of the world
It was the war at the end of the world
I could not believe my eyes
Or anything I heard
In the war at the end of the world

Last time I inquired
War still raging on
Elephants and clowns are dead
And I see the trees are gone
As for our lady and the counselor
I believe they had a son
And if he fulfills the prophecy
The battle will be won
And then on that day of glory
They will line up on the curbs
And then a circus will parade
With the faithful that have served
And Christ winks at our Lady
Says you got a lot of nerve
Now lets put them all to bed
Get the rest that we deserve

It was the war at the end of the world
It was the war at the end of the world
All the destitute and dying
Around and around His word
And the war at the end of the world

It was the war at the end of the world
It was the war at the end of the world
If you're gonna die for somebody
Well it might as well be the Lord
In the war at the end of the world