Lyrics, “The Territory”

The original lineation of the lyrics to the Hounds song, “The Territory.”

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The Territory

When love came to the territories,
thirty-five men killed twenty-seven
in self-defense.

When death came to the territories,
no one knew as much about it
as the doctor and the fence.

Thirty-five men who used to be soldiers
wouldn't speak of love till autumn at least.

While twenty-seven dead who used to be men
were buried along with their beasts.

Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.

Oh, in the territory.
Oh, in the territory.

The year love came to the territories,
I was almost ten.

But the year love passed the territories,
it left me like a postman.

Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.

Oh, in the territory.
Oh, in the territory.

Several days I thought love had come for me,
but it was just me being ten.

Then several years I thought death had come for me—
that was just my mindset then.

Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.

Some men said love would visit again—
cursing their neighbors' wives.

And some men said death would visit again
and bundled up their lives.

Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.
Oh, it passed me by! Love, it passed me by.

Oh, in the territory.
Oh, in the territory.

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