As I lie here, in this wooden box,
I have one last request
to ask of you, my friend.
As you stand out there,
And speak at that wooden crowd,
of people who never knew me.
I ask of you, my oldest friend,
to lie, friend, lie.
Don’t tell them what you knew of me.
Rather, tell them what I never was.
Tell them that I was strong and brave;
and never say, "dependable."
Tell them that I backed down from no man;
and never say "team player"
Tell them that I was fierce;
and never say "a pleasure to know."
Tell them of a great thinker;
and never say "civil servant."
I lie in here for all eternity, my friend,
So surely you can lie out there for just a minute.
As they keep me in the dark in here,
So please keep them in the dark out there.
As I lie in here, my friend,
All I ask of you, dear friend,
Is for you to lie out there.