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The Ballad of Josef Hofer

from opening my hand by david edward walker

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This song depicts true historical events regarding Josef, Michael, and David, Hutterite conscientious objectors to World War I, who refused to wear a U.S. Army uniform. They were all tortured by military guards while imprisoned, and Josef and his brother David died as a result of their treatment. Josef's body was returned to his widow, Maria, clothed in the uniform he'd refused to wear. The brothers were buried during a large funeral at Rockport Hutterite Bruderhof in Alexandria, South Dakota, near the Missouri River, which flows south through Nebraska, entering the Mississippi in Kansas.

lyrics

In August, 1917, we were summoned
To Fort Lewis, Washington
Michael and Jacob and David and I
All refused to put their dungarees on
So they took us together to Alcatraz Island
There they beat us with clubs
Until we wished that we were dying
Then each to his own private hole
And in the filth I prayed for their souls
Then the guard threw this uniform in
He said “put it on and you’ll see home again.”
He told us, “just stay quiet.”
They put us on a starvation diet,
Made us stay on our feat
While our comrades were beaten
And tied to a hook in the ceiling
Soon we collapsed from their violent dealings
They put me in this uniform for the hate
That they were feeling
Please take comfort in knowing
In spite of our pain
We die for them in God’s name
Oh, forgive them, ‘though they know no shame
I believe somehow we all are to blame

Lay me down near the banks of the Missouri
Lay me down near my kindred and friends
Can you see where the currents run deeply?
There, the soft Kansas rain meets its end

Oh, Maria, do not cry
‘Though in uniform I lie
We all suffer for their fear
We must be brave, Maria dear
Could it be wrong to hold no gun?
We have been strong; we did not run.
They spoke falsely but God still knows.
They cut the oak tree but the seedling grows.
They dam the river but the water flows.
They kill the body, oh, but not the soul.

Lay me down near the banks of the Missouri
Lay me down near my kindred and friends
Can you see where the currents run deeply?
There, the soft Kansas rain meets its end

credits

from opening my hand, released February 13, 2023
david edward walker: vocal guitar

produced, recorded & mixed by david edward walker in a closet in Little Saigon in Seattle, WA, USA

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david edward walker Indianola, Washington

"With a style that encompasses urban and rural images, rich metaphors, spiritual themes, moving ballads, and ambitious fingerstyle guitar work, David Edward Walker (aka 'David Folks') is a singer-songwriter with special ability to reach listeners on an emotional level."
~ Music Hound,
The Essential Folk Album Guide

"Spilled poetic love." ~ Dirty Linen

"Folk Hero."
~Detroit Monthly ... more

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