Tom Paxton - Bishop Cody's Last Request lyrics

Bishop Cody's last request was wired across the sea Find my wandering brother, boys, and bring him home to me I knew him as an infant, as a meek and trusting child But lately I've had sad reports that my brother is running wild Oh bring my brother home to me With my own eyes I've got to see Just what he's into Bishop Cody's last request received respectful care The trail said California and they found his brother there They found him in an alley, in a sea of broken gla** They plucked him from the traffic of the hustlers tripping past Oh sir you're brother's eyes are dim We've come to take you home to him He needs to see you Bishop Cody's last request was told in great detail The messengers were desperate men; they had not come to fail They pressed their case with fervour their urgency was clear While Bishop Cody's brother smiled and did not seem to hear Oh, give the Bishop my regards Thanks for all the birthday cards He never failed me Bishop Cody's messengers were left with no recourse The situation plainly called for a little use of force They grabbed him by the shoulder, but the shoulder slipped away As he vanished down the alley they could hear the brother say Oh, give the Bishop my regards Thanks for all the birthday cards He never failed me Bishop Cody's last request was broadcast through the town And Bishop Cody's brother was quite often seen around The messengers were frantic, quite efficient and discreet But their manner proved distracted when they saw him on the street Oh, sir you have to go Oh sir at least you owe An explanation Bishop Cody's last request was finally denied As his spirit left his body someone heard - my hands are tied The word went down the alley; that the Bishop was at rest And someone opened up a bar called The Bishop's Last Request His brother told the priest The bishop rests in peace He never failed me His brother told the priest The bishop rests in peace He never failed me