I Wonder (The Jasper Song)

I wonder could he know that it would end that night
Just walking down that road, hitching that last ride
Just an ordinary man - he played the horn, they say
A man we'd never know but for a wicked twist of fate
I wonder could he know he'd end that way

I wonder could they tell, that night they drove, those three
That they would detour into hell to carry out their deed
What could they be thinking as they beat and chained him down
And dragged him til his body torn and bleeding stained the ground
I wonder could they know their night would end that way

I wonder who we blame to purge ourselves of rage
The system or the men ... and what part do we all play
Hate is just a symptom, born of ignorance and fear
Victimized by narrow minds, our people need to hear
The trumpet call for peace to all this ordinary man has played
I wonder when we'll hear it
I wonder when we'll teach it
I wonder when we'll live it

(Dedicated to the family of James Byrd and the brave people of Jasper, Texas, who could have divided a nation ... but didn't)