https://peterkearney.bandcamp.com/track/45-george-zabelka

“My Name is George Zabelka” by Peter Kearney

GEORGE ZABELKA 

Now I am an old man, soon to meet my God 
My journey here is almost at an end. 
But before the journey’s over there’s one place I must go 
Can’t get into heaven till I face up to my hell. 
My name is George Zabelka, an ordinary man 
And in answer to your questions, my story I will tell. 

I was raised to be a Christian in the fashion of the day 
Seemed all I had to do was follow rules. 
So it seemed right to join the army on that island in the sea 
Where I was chaplain to the 509th bomb crews 
And I gave the boys a blessing as they flew that August day … 
Hiroshima still sleeping and no word did I say. 

CHORUS: 
So I go to light a candle that can shine in the night 
For my brother I have wronged, my sister I have killed. 
Come light a million candles in the tomb of the night 
And we’ll see the light of morning rise again. 

Well something deep inside me knew the truth of what I’d done 
And my nightmares brought the terror home to me. 
I knew the dark and loveless spirit, the cold and clever lie 
That held the power and condemned those towns to die 
And I know I was no better than the men on Calvary 
Who had their orders and followed thoughtlessly. CHORUS. 

I know that war has always been, it’s a habit deeply formed 
And every land thinks God is on its side 
And the Church has offered blessings and talked about ‘just wars’ 
Inside with Caesar, leaving Christ outside the door 
But I say this stage is over, the bomb has changed it all … 
Together we will rise up or together we must fall. CHORUS. 

And now I am an old man, soon to meet my God 
My journey here is almost at an end. 
But before the journey’s over I’m going to Japan 
As a pilgrim, a small and sorry man 
To kneel and beg forgiveness in the hope to reconcile… 
One step begins the journey along the homeward mile. CHORUS. 

Words and music by Peter Kearney