Across the Great Divide

Music & Lyrics Paul Dougherty

It was 1845 my son, the Great Hunger had begun
All along the countryside
We searched for new horizons
Just to be blindsided, my honey child

The waiting had begun, but your ma and me were young and strong
We even made it to London Town
But there was no love around
It’s dog eat dog in this town, and everywhere else around

Across the Great Divide, someday we will arrive
The Great Divide
Deep in blue, these things I do, I do for you

We set sail on a ship across the sea
And said goodbye to our home and families
We reached the harbor lights in the Spring
We heard freedom ring, my honey child

But nothing was quite as it seemed
It’s too easy, the breaking of dreams
I was kicked around and laid down
Many a good men were not to be found, my honey child

Across the Great Divide, someday we will pass on by
The Great Divide
Deep in blue, these things I do, I do for you

Your ma was one of the ones
The good who all die young
They’ve got a light that shines while others slowly die inside
For some the burden is too strong, my honey child

But you, you will be free
If that’s the last thing that comes from me
I will not end it now, even though I’ve wanted to somehow
Into the wild, my honey child

Across the Great Divide, you and I will walk side by side
The Great Divide
Deep in blue, these things I do, I do for you
Into the wild, my honey child

White Man's Basketball 2009