They Should Have Shut Down the Streets

They should have shut down all the streets
Presidents and kings should have been there
With not a single empty seat
All the schools closed, and the roads we drove down all lined
Lined with people cap in hand and crying
That went on for miles and miles and miles and miles

They should have shut down all the streets
All the papers plastered with tributes
We should have asked for privacy
Though we understand it that some want to share their pain
We would ask to grieve this in our quiet way
And they should have asked again and again and again

They should have shut down all the streets
All the bouquets piled on the doorstep
And pages filled with crayon hearts
That a second grade class had made in their school that day
Because the teacher had to give in some small way
And there weren't that many ways left for her to say it

They should have shut down all the streets