full lyrics:


y’know my old man’s old fashioned

but that don’t make him dumb

he’s just the kind

sees in what’s happened what’s to come

last Saturday, like always

with a bottle I stopped by

poured two over rocks of rye

askin’ his thoughts

about the latest ink to dry


our glasses clinked

he took his drink

then with a sigh replied

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died


history, he said

is written by the victors

not the ones whose Waterloos

went badly wrong

but just because you won the day

don’t mean the world will stay that way

kings of sand hills

don’t hold the high ground very long


so when the Fates your reign undo

what was once fallacy turns true

what was forward by decree

will be deemed aft

and what they chiseled on your tombstone

ya figured that’s the final word

but by hell time will tell

if it’s only the first draft

but by hell time will tell

if it’s only the first draft


I don’t worry ‘bout my legacy

my songs’ll speak my piece for me

mighta told some tall tales

but I barely lied

still if my mountain turns to mud

under a sea changin’ flash flood

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died


so take heed

with what you love or hate

I’ve found most stories

have more than one side

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died

y’know Custer

was hailed a hero

when he died