John West

Stand Sentinel

John West


For two hundred years I have watched the view from this exact spot 
Once surrounded by my brothers, now I stand alone 
One by one they have fallen, first to the fire, then by axe and saw 
Machines have sped my loneliness… so much progress? 

When you receive the mark of man, you know 
You haven't long in this world, oh 

Stand, sentinel, stand 
Seen the progress of man, progress of time 
For two hundred years, vision, my tears 
Oh stand, sentinel, stand 
Now I have the mark 

Tired limbs stretched out towards the Sun 
Will tomorrow's dawn be my last? 
I can barely breathe 
I can not feel extremities 
Father Sun is but a glimpse 
Or just a memory? 

When you receive the mark of man, you know 
You haven't long in this world, oh 

Stand, sentinel, stand 
Seen the progress of man, progress of time 
For two hundred years, vision, my tears 
Oh stand, sentinel, stand 
Seen the changes of man, changes of mind 
All of these years, my people, my kind, we will stand, stand 

I have cradled babies in my arms, given shelter from the storm 
Now I must rest eternal rest, join my brothers in the Earth 
Now my life is but a flicker in the flame of life itself 
Was it all for nothing? All for nothing? 
Soon, I will… I will have my answer 

Stand, sentinel, stand 
Seen the progress of man, progress of time 
For two hundred years, vision, my tears 
Stand, sentinel, stand 

We will stand, oh stand 

Now I have the mark! 

Never fall! 
Never fall! 
Never fall! 
Never fall!