That Was Long Ago

These Czechs, our friends
hung in the balance
looking west in 1938
and Chamberlain turned his back
But maybe that was long ago
Too long for backpacks to remember
a time before their time

These Czechs, our friends
took Chamberlain's bullet
for seven long years
in darkness and sweat and fear
But maybe that was long ago
and if they kissed us briefly
then this time Truman turned away

These Czechs, our friends
were sold out twice within ten years
and each time from the west
and our band played, flag flew elsewhere
But maybe that was long ago
and McDonalds is reparation enough
for two generations dealt away at conferences

These Czechs, our friends
hung in while we hung out
for fifty years and took to the streets
to take their country back
Not all that long ago, unless you had to wait
and if their smiles are thin, now looking west
we might be grateful there's a smile at all