Kray Van Kirk

Lyrics

He patrolled the New York subway, the Q train, Broadway Line
From 96th on down to Coney Isle
His superhero mask was red, a pair of underwear
with rubber boots and cape a kitchen towel

He knew the nightly riders, called them all by name
And they made sure his nightly fare was paid
While his history was hidden, his origins obscure
On a ragged subway seat a New York hero he was made

If angry words were thrown against two women holding hands
Or a homeless man was kicked and put to shame
If someone in a turban was pushed around and cursed
His eyes would flash and loudly he'd exclaim

I am the Midnight Commander!
I am the Flame, the Beacon in the Night
I am the Midnight Commander
Put aside your hatred, and set aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Yes, the Midnight Commander is here

Now everyone he challenged, they felt his gentle power
And they'd falter in their anger and their pain
Standing quiet, wondering, at the seasons of the heart
And an old man in pajamas on the train

And the riders of the subway, the Q train, Broadway line
Stood proud and tall when he would pass them by
They'd smile at one another and give a mighty cheer
Whenever they would hear his ringing cry

I am the Midnight Commander!
I am the Flame, the Beacon in the Night
I am the Midnight Commander
Put aside your hatred, and set aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Yes, the Midnight Commander is here

Now, all good deeds are punished, and someone finally made a call
To New York's Metro Clinic with the tale
A bedcheck found one empty, the window open wide
And footprints headed towards the subway rail

So the Lords of Bedlam came, each one dressed in white
They found him riding on his nightly fare
They called him by his given name, and took away his soul
And brought him back to his confused despair

But I am the Midnight Commander
He said as they gently led him off into the night
I am the Midnight Commander
Who will keep them from their hatred, and rescue them from fear
If the Midnight Commander's not here?

Now the New York City subway, the Q train, Broadway line
Gallops through the night just like before
But at 96th and 2nd all the riders take a stand
For New York's Don Quixote was no more

And on the empty platform, as the train goes on its way
If you listen very closely you can hear the voices say

Remember, O remember
Don't give in to hatred or to fear
Remember, O remember
The Midnight Commander was here

It started in Manhattan, a single dancing flame
It spread to Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn, Staten Island was the same
Macy's sold out of red underwear, and rubber boots could simply not be found
The words were carved upon the subway walls
A thousand voices thundered with their sound

And the words said

I am the Midnight Commander!
I am the Flame, the Beacon in the Night
I am the Midnight Commander
Put aside your hatred, and set aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Yes, the Midnight Commander is here