The Retreat

They laid beneath the pine tress

With their caps over their eyes

They were drunk with home and mama

As they brushed away the flies

In an instant, before sunrise

They had gunned the rebels down

As their flags were torn at half-mast

In the ruins of the town

There were white sails on the water

For the crippled on the beach

There was a lack of ammunition

So the cause was incomplete

When the bugle blew at breakfast

And they knew the ships were in

The sighs of grand assurance

Were carried on the wind

Take it home, take it low, take responsibility

Came the message from the front

For the captains, captain's quarters must retreat

Pack the compass, pack the tents, and take the bunks

They just chalked it down in history

But they kept their uniforms

They put their medals on the sideboards

And they went back to their farms

For it was just a mere reminder

That they stood beside the best

That God had saved the chosen few

And the devil took the rest

So take it home, take it low, take responsibility

Came the message from the front

For the captains, captain's quarters must retreat

Pack the compass, pack the tents, and take the bunks

On the plains above the rock face

Where the sculptured eagles swoop

There's a haunted yell for action

Among the specters of his troops

It was silent on the coastline

As the crazy angels danced

To the sound of retreat and footfall

From his military can

So take it home, take it low, take responsibility

Came the message from the front

For the captains, captain's quarters must retreat

Pack the compass, pack the tents, and take the bunks

Take it home

Take it low

Take responsibility

Take it home