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
And 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 fire-glow
On that wild and misty night she was my woman

And when I rose next morning I was gone before she stirred
I tore myself away from there and left without a word
The sound of distant infantry was the only thing I heared
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

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 fire-glow
On that wild and misty night she was my woman

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 did not burn or over-run
On that evening

So I rode out to that place again as hard as I could ride
But I found her by the trail along the 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
Oh my soldier, I'll make a man of you tonight
She took me over
In the fading fire-glow
On that wild and misty night she was my woman