Song For Duke Lyrics - Judy Collins

I didn't even know the man 

I didn't know the man himself 

Even though his music filled my life 

As it has so many others 

I knew that he had died that week 

After fighting death a year or more 

But I had had a rule before 

That funerals were a waste of flowers 

But something said I had to go 

To be a witness to his gift of love 

A man who never once gave up on life 

Until death took him in his tracks 

The people stood around the church 

Ten thousand people there they say, or more 

Black and white, rich and poor 

Together they were there to say farewell 

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In New York City it had rained that day 

The streets were silver and the sky was gray 

But in the church the music soared and sang 

And seemed to fill the air with shining sun 

The man was a hero 

He played the music of our souls 

He knew that we all have in us 

A place where beauty always grows 

Outside in the streets again 

The people wandered through the falling rain 

They waved their hands and dried their tears 

And turned to go about their lives again 

But none of us will be the same 

If we hear the things his music says 

That loving is the gift of life 

And making music was his way of love 

Photos 

The man was a hero 

He played the music of our souls 

He knew that we all have in us 

A place where beauty always grows