David Rose Lyrics

Old John Brown left Kansas
Before the blood had dried
And as he rode his head did shine
Like the sun in mid July

In a tiny farm house
By Brunswick B & O
He warmed his boots by the fireplace
And read aloud from Samuel

David rose to lead the Philistines
With five smooth stones and a sling

One October morning
His army did approach
The armory that sat between
The Potomac and Shenandoah

The engine house flung open
With report of several guns
When it was done he looked upon
The bodies of his dying sons

David rose to lead the Philistines
With five smooth stones and a sling

Throughout our history there are those ghosts
Compelled to illustrate our dreads and hopes
Victors hang in pictures, losers from ropes
Regardless, they all swing in the same boat

In South Hampton county 'round 1831
Nat Turner prayed, and the corn stalks swayed
A voice rose up
And his ax was raised

In the planter's big house
They went from room to room
When it was done they rode along
To liberate Jerusalem

David rose to lead the Philistines
With five smooth stones and a sling