Al Stewart - The Loyalist lyrics

I see my name all over town From the shop signs to the graveyard I've wandered here, two hundred years Through every generation Sometimes I wonder do they ever think of me? A distant figure from the past Moss covered headstone, just a piece of history Is my name fading out at last - I am the loyalist Our crops were in, a well earned rest We heard the hoofbeats in the twilight And we were told, horses and gold Were needed for the insurrection And though I knew what it might cost us I replied “Whose bread it eat, his song I sing” They beat me bloody, called me “filthy Tory spy” But I would not betray my King I am the loyalist Bridge: They said Revolution is the anvil, where freedom must be forged They said that I should fight for freedom, but I owe liberty and life to King George So once again, we had to flee Taking just what we could carry To try once more, on these rocky shores To build our farms in this new country Like dancing beggars here, we did the best we could Claiming the land by Shelburne Bay I'll run no further, no I'm staying here for good Though my descendants move away I am the loyalist I see my name, all over town From the shop signs to the graveyard I've wandered here, two hundred years Through every generation