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I asked a man of twenty-one years, one who had not yet even wed;
would he come with me to fight tyranny?
Then he turned to me and said:
I believe the words you tell me are true. that the world is not as it seems;
but today, I'm young, maybe tomorrow I'll come, but my youth is for chasing my dreams.
So I asked a man of thirty-five years who ran a corporation from inside his head
would he come with me to fight tyranny?
Then he turned to me and said:
It seems that your words have the ring of truth, if so, the enemy is already here;
but today I'm building and expanding my business, so when I can join you, just isn't clear.
So I asked a man of fifty years who struck me as being well read;
would he come with me to fight tyranny?
Then he turned to me and said:
I don't deny that what you presented was fact, and such news will cause me to pray;
but at fifty years old, I must plan my retirement with investments and a four-oh-one-kay.
So I asked a man of sixty-five years could he stand in the younger ones' stead;
would he come with me to fight tyranny?
Then he turned to me and said:
Your explanation of the world is so clear to me now and all of the pieces do fit;
and if I wore a younger man's shoes. I'd help you send them to the bottomless pit.
So I visited the grave of a Confederate soldier, though silenced and long since dead,
I finally got close to one who fought tyranny.
This is how his epitaph read:
"Here lies young Gideon Taylor,
shot dead keeping Virginia free,
preserving Liberty for future generations;
His fate sealed with honor: June Fourth, 1863."
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