Up on Ruby Ridge

Up On Ruby Ridge

In August 1992 I was in North Idaho and happened upon the Ruby Ridge - Randy Weaver incident as it was happening. I was with a friend of mine from Bonners Ferry and he suggested that we go down the Deep Creek road to check out some kind of a fracas near there.

When we got there, there were huge TV trucks with satellite dishes and commentators, and about 200 people camped out in protest of the government actions. This included neighbors, skinheads, locals, and what looked like professional protestors. Many had signs with slogans like "Federal Government out of North Idaho".

One of the things that stuck me was that the woods were literally full of armed troops, there were jets flying overhead, and the bridge to the Weavers' house was blocked by a squadron of armed federal agents whose behavior was very much like storm troopers.

The other thing that struck me was the intense anger of the local people against these federal agents, who at the time had already shot up the Weavers and killed his son and wife, but this information hadn't been released yet. Bo Gritz, who eventually helped to get Weaver to surrender, was telling the people what he wanted to do and how the troops had stopped him from getting up to talk to Weaver.

My Grandmother always told me that 2 wrongs don't make a right, and this was a classic case of intense wrongs on both sides; resulting in tragic deaths, a court settlement against the federal government, and a loss of freedom for all Americans.

Hear MP3 Sound Clip

Am G F G Am

What's that in the forest , moving though the trees, Hiding in the shadows, there's danger in the breeze

Am G

Something's very wrong I fear, I'm not sure what it is,

F G Am

And what's those horrid sounds I hear, up on Ruby Ridge ...

Am G F G Am

Back in August '92, up there in the hills, In the beauty of North Idaho , where there's only bears and stills,

Am G

There came 6 u.s. marshals, hiding behind logs,

F G Am

And they caught poor Randy Weaver, and first they killed his dog.

Am G F G Am

Randy and his family, just another day, Outside in the mornin' air, nothing in their way,

Am G

came 6 u.s. marshals, with a job that must get done,

F G Am

And they caught poor Randy Weaver, and next they killed his son

.Am G

The dogs barked at the marshals, hiding in the woods,

F G Am

Trespassing on private land under orders that they should,

Am G

You just don't shoot a man's dog, and you sure don't shoot his son,

F G Am

But these here US marshalls, got Weaver on the run

Chorus:

Am G F G Am

Holed up in their cabin, a tiny frightened band, While federal reinforcements, came flying o'er the land,

Am G

And soon there were 400 feds, all around their hill,

F G Am

And 'cause the Weavers were so dangerous, the orders were to kill.

Am G F G Am

Out to see the body, of his boy shot in the back, a hidden federal sniper, shot Randy near the shack,

Am G

he struggled to the cabin, bleeding from his side,

F G Am

And if he'd known what was coming, he might have stayed outside.

Am G F G Am

Vicky Weaver stood there, baby in her arms, Never knew that living free would lead to all this harm,

Am G

Standing there behind her door, filled with fear and dread,

F G Am

And this same cowardly sniper, shot her through the head

Am G F G Am

I spent 4 years in the service, to keep my country free, Fighting for the right to live, your life as you see be,

Am G

And I dearly love my country, and proud of what I did,

F G Am

But I think I watched some freedoms die, up on Ruby Ridge

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