Blackwood Bog from Longer Days by Michael E. Johnson

His silent steel shines cold and bright
A debt comes due in the dead of night
No quarter shown, no prayers to send
Some men take… and some must end

In Blackwood Bog, so dark and deep
Where secrets lie and the willows weep
No preacher prays, no bell will toll
No mercy for… a wicked soul

He drags his burden down through the mud
So lately drained of life and blood
His hands let go, the ripples spread
And whisper low… to the sinking dead

In Blackwood Bog, so dark and deep
Where secrets lie and the willows weep
No preacher prays, no bell will toll
No mercy for… a poisoned soul

In the highest limb of a dying birch
A heron grips his twisted perch
The silent judge peers through the fog
The witness of… Blackwood Bog

In Blackwood Bog, so dark and deep
Where secrets lie and the willows weep
No preacher prays, no bell will toll
No mercy for… a hateful soul

Dawn will break, but the deed stays done
Mist will burn in the morning sun
On silent wings, the heron flies
O’er that place… where memory dies

In Blackwood Bog, so dark and deep
Where secrets lie and the willows weep
No preacher prays, no bell will toll
No mercy for… a hopeless soul

• Country
• Folk
• folk country
• folk rock
• singer-songwriter
• Wisconsin