Chief - Patty Griffin

Chief had been out of the army

For fifteen years or more

He was still marching up and down that street

Just like he was a walking to war

They called him Chief 'cause he was Indian

It was a name they said behind his back

In the summer he’d march without any shoes

Till the soles of his feet turned black

Till the soles of his feet turned black

His hands wouldn’t work the machinery

‘Cause his brain told them what to say

It’s a hell of a life but it’s somebody’s life

Up and down the street all day

Honey, I’ve been put through the paces

Running like a dog on a track

The wheels keep it going as fast as you get there

But you don’t ever get to go back

I don’t really know what I’m doing

Just watching myself in some play

And the actress looks like she wants to go home

And lie in a bed all day

Yeah, lie in a big bed all day

Her hands wouldn’t work the machinery

‘Cause her brain tells them what to say

It’s a hell of a life but it’s somebody’s life

Up and down the street all day

But I wish that you could see me

When I’m flying in my dreams

The way I laugh there way up high

The way I look when I fly

The way I laugh, the way I fly

Chief got out of the army

Jesus went to live with the poor

I’m still marching up and down that street

I don’t know what I’m doing that for

I don’t know what I’m doing that for

I don’t know what I’m doing that for