peace be with you

i think of everything i've ever said to you
(everything i've ever done in front of you)

and i ask myself, what's wrong with you? have you no shame?
but it's shame i've plenty of, and it's shame that's helping no one

you told them to say "your highness" but i'm not sure i'd call you that
your crown is bare where once was hair, and you wear a grandfather's hat

if you truly have such majesty, it's not for me to determine
i'm seeing you in a flasher's trench, not ruby, silk and ermine

but we all know that i tremble in your company
know that i shiver to see you looking at me

peace, my friend, for all of us, when this break in the year is through
peace, my friend, from all of us, as we are forever indebted to you