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about

A while ago, a friend of mine lost a relative unexpectedly, and I saw his family turning to religion in the aftermath. This, in itself, is not especially remarkable, but it started me wondering whether, under similar circumstances, I could -- or would want to -- ignore my own doubts and disbelief in exchange for some kind of peace of mind.

A radically different version of this song exists, way back in the mists of history, for which my friend EJ Landsman wrote the music. This has been almost entirely rewritten in the intervening years, but credit where credit is due. So: much respect.

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lyrics

there's a fire on the edge of town
smoke is rolling all across my lawn
I’m not there anymore
first I saw the glow, then I was gone

(this time
this fire
has passed me by
but in line
by your spires
would you let me inside?)

you know I've never aimed to please you
and it's 'cause I always seem to miss
I sleep with angels
but I wake up on the devil's list

this time
this fire
has passed me by
but in line
by your spires
would you let me inside?

I locked you out a while ago
they say you can't go home again
but if everything goes up in flames
would we let each other in?

it's all something I don't understand
and I think that I may never
I'm afraid of nothing
'cause nothing lasts forever

this time
this fire
has passed me by
but in line
by your spires
would you let me inside?

credits

from The Napoleon of Crime, released September 16, 2012
written by David Gassmann

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The Napoleon of Crime Washington, D.C.

"He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order . . . My horror at his crimes was lost in my admiration at his skill." -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Final Problem" ... more

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