The soldier boy for his soldiers pay Obeys the sergeant at arms whatever he says
The sergeant will for his sergeant's pay Obey the general order of the battle play
The generals bow to the government Obey the charge you must not relent
What of the neighbors and the prophets in bars? What are they saying in the public bazaar?
At every stroke of the bell in the tower there goes Another boy from another side
The bulletins that steady come in say those Familiar words at the top of the hour
The jamming city increases its hum And those terrible words continue to come
Through bras music of government hear those Guns tattoo a roll on the drums
No-one mentions the neighboring war No one knows what they're fighting for