The Young Pretender

Strawbs - The Young Pretender

Bring out your dead
The captain said
With no sense of remorse
The battle is not over
We must make a show of force
The silver band began to play
The moon began to rise
I could not hear their music
But I could read it in their eyes

My friend, the young pretender
Simply did not understand
Bring out your dead
The captain said
Or you will join the band

Bring out your dead
The captain said
We fight again at noon
For those who are courageous
It can never come too soon
The ship of fools came sailing by
On the early morning tide
Her sails were hanging lifeless
But her flag flew high with pride

My friend, the young pretender
Had forgotten to take note
Bring out your dead
The captain said
Or you will miss the boat

Bring out your dead
The captain said
The victory is near
The battle is all over
And the way ahead marked clear
The carnival procession
Took its third trip round the town
The bandsmen raised their trumpets
And the walls came a-tumbling down

My friend, the young pretender
Took a candle to the night
Bring out your dead
The captain said
It's time to see the light

Bring out your dead
The captain said
The band is leaving town
The ship will sail without you
And the only way is down
The windy streets were empty
And the damage cleared away
The townsfolk were preparing
To rebuild the wall next day
My friend, the young pretender
Took the lion to the Iamb
Bring out your dead
The captain said
He did not give a damn