Soldier's song

The smoke was slowly rising as the light began to fade

There were fires on the skyline from some distant border raid

I was riding out at seventeen to join my first brigade

Many years ago

And I chanced upon a farmhouse where the woman took me in

She gave me food and wine she gave me shelter from the wind

She delayed me from my regiment and service of my king

Many years ago

She said "Soldier before I lose you to the fight

Oh my soldier I'll make a man of you tonight"

She took me over in the fading fireglow

On that wild and misty night she was my woman

When I rose next morning I was gone before she stood

Tore myself away from there and left without a word

The sound of distant infantry was the only sound I heard

On that morning

And in that day I aged ten years and died a thousand deaths

I learned the feel of frozen steel and fear within my breast

But the lesson I'll remember till they lay me to my rest

Keeps returning

chorus

And when the dice of war were thrown and victory was won

My drunken young compatriots went out to have their fun

And there was no single house they didn't burn or overrun on that evening

And I rode out to that place again as hard as I could ride

But I found her by the cradle on that lonely mountainside

In the hands of those brave friends of mine she suffered and she died

Many years ago

"Soldier before I lose you to the fight"

She said "Soldier I'll make a man of you tonight"

She took me over in the fading fireglow

On that wild and misty night she was my woman