there was a decorated general with
a heart of gold, that likened him to
all the stories he told

of past battles, won and lost, and
legends of old a seasoned veteran in
his own time


on the battlefield, he gained
respectful fame with many metals

of bravery and stripes to his name
he grew a beard as soon as he could
to cover the scars on his face

and always urged his men on

but on the eve of a great battle

with the infantry in dream
the old general tossed in his sleep
and wrestled with its meaning

he awoke from the night
just to tell what he had seen
and walked slowly out of his tent


all the men held tall with their
chests in the air, with courage in

their blood and a fire in their stare
it was a grey morning and they all
wondered how they would fare

till the old general told them to go home

[CHORUS:]

I have seen the others
and I have discovered
that this fight is not worth fighting

I have seen their mothers
and I will no other
to follow me where I'm going


Take a shower, shine your shoes
you got no time to lose

you are young men you must be living
go now you are forgiven


but the men stood fast with their
guns on their shoulders not knowing
what to do with the contradicting orders

the general said he would do his own
duty bout would not extend it not further
the men could go as they pleased


not a man moved, their eyes glazed
straight ahead till one by one they

stepped back and not a word was said
and the old general was left with his
own words echoing in his head

he then prepared to fight

[CHORUS]


go now you are forgiven