Soldier's Song

Smoke was slowly rising as the night began to fade
There were fires on the sky line from some distant border raid,
I was riding out at 17 to join my first brigade
Many years ago

And I chanced upon a farm house 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

When I rose next morning, I was gone before she stirred
Tore myself away from there and left without a word
Sound of distant infantry was the only thing I heard
On that morning

And in that day I aged 10 years and died a thousand deaths
I learned the feel of frozen steel and fear within my breast
But the lesson I remember 'til they lay me to my rest
Keeps returning

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 the dice of war was 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 overrun
On that evening

And I rode out to that place again as hard as I could ride
But I found her by the trail on the lonely mountain side
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 fire glow
On that wild and misty night, she was my woman