Soldier's Song Lyrics

Image copyright Arnim Kilgus

Written by Mike Batt

Smoke was slowly rising as the light began to fade
There were fires on the skyline from some distant border raid
I was riding out at seventeen to join my first brigade
Many years ago

And I chanced upon a farmhouse 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
The sound of distant infantry was the only thing I heard
On that morning

And on that day I aged ten years and died a thousand deaths
I learned the feel of frozen steel and fear within my breast
But the lesson I'll remember till 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 were thrown and victory was won
My drunken young compatriots went out and had 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
I found her by the trail along the lonely mountainside
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"
"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