Like Elton John's 'American triangle' this song is about the tragic death of gay student Matthew Shepard. When Matthew was beaten up because he was gay the bicyclist who found him at first mistook him for a scarecrow; he wasn't recognisible as a human being anymore!
Net zo als Elton John's 'American triangle' gaat deze song over de tragische dood van de student Matthew Shepard. Toen Matthew in elkaar geslagen was omdat hij homo was en een fietser hem vond, dacht deze in eerste instantie dat hij een vogelverschrikker (scarecrow) was; hij was niet meer te herkennen als mens!

Showers of your crimson blood
seep into a nation calling up a flood
of narrow minds who legislate
thinly veiled intolerance
bigotry and hate

But they tortured and burned you
they beat you and they tied you
they left you cold and breathing
for love they crucified you

I can't forget hard as i try
this silhouette against the sky

Scarecrow crying
waiting to die wondering why
scarecrow trying
angels will hold carry your soul away

This was our brother
this was our son
this shepherd young and mild
this unassuming one
we all gasp this can't happen here
we're all much too civilized
where can these monsters hide

But they are knocking on our front door
they're rocking in our cradles
they're preaching in our churches
and eating at our tables

I search my soul
my heart and in my mind
to try and find forgiveness
this is someone child
with pain unreconciled
filled up with father's hate
mother's neglect
I can forgive but i will not forget

Scarecrow crying
waiting to die wondering why
scarecrow trying
rising above all in the name of love