Queen & Country

The wind is on the river
And the tide has turned too late
So we're sailing for another shore
Where some other ladies wait

To throw us silken whispers
Catch us by the anchor chains
But we all laugh so politely
And we sail on just the same

For queen and country in the long dying day
And it's been this way for five long years
Since we signed our souls away

We bring back gold and ivory
Rings of diamonds, strings of pearls
Make presents to the government
So they can have their social whirl

With queen and country in the long dying day
And it's been this way for five long years
Since we signed our souls away

They build schools and they build factories
With the spoils of battles won
And we remain their pretty sailor boys
Hold our heads up to the gun

Of queen and country in the long dying day
And it's been this way for five long years
Since we signed our souls away

To queen and country in the long dying day
And it's been this way for five long years
Since we signed our souls away