"River" by Natalie Merchant

Young and strong Hollywood son 
in the early morning light 
this star fell down 
on Sunset Boulevard 

young and strong beautiful one 
we embraced so close 
is gone 
was torn away 

let the youth of America mourn 
include him in their prayers 
let his image linger on 
repeat it everywhere 

with candles, with flowers 
he was one of ours 
one of ours 

why don't you let him be? 
he's gone 
we know 
give his mother and his father peace 
your vulture's candor 
your casual slander 
you murder his memory 
he's gone 
we know 
it's nothing but a tragedy 

lay to rest your soul and body 
lay beside your name 
lay to rest your rage 
your hunger and amazing grace 

with candles, with flowers 
you were one of ours 
one of ours 

I saw cameras expose your life 
I heard rumors explode with lies 
I saw children in tears 
cry and crowd around the sight 
of where you had collapsed that day 
where your last breath and word 
had been sighed 
where your heart had burst 
where you had died 

I saw how they were lost in grieving 
all half believing you were gone 
the loss and pain of it 
crime and shame of it 
you were gone 
it was such a nightmare raving, 
"how could we save him from himself?"