If all the grasses are yellow
Then what color are the tears
That are shed for all the young fellows
In the armies along the frontiers
If all the grasses are purple
Then what color is the sky
Under which young men are marching
For none know the reason why
Once you dressed in the colors of flowers
Now you dress in black
And look out your window for hours
For the men to come marching back
Well what if the poppies are orange?
And what if roses are red?
What cares a girl for flowers
When the one she loves is dead?
If all the rivers are golden
Silver, the color of rain
When shall a maid and her soldier
Feel lovers' warmth again?
For what does it matter
If October leaves are brown
If your love since last September
Has been sleeping 'neath the ground
If all the grasses are yellow
Then what color are the tears
That are shed for all the young fellows
In the armies along the frontiers