Don't Bury Me Before The Battle

On the hills above the town our forces were assembled
We were ready; we were waiting for the fray
But we knew that ere the dawn many friends would soon depart it
Many soldiers wouldn't greet another day

Chorus:

But don't you bury me before the battle
If you think its by choice I'm here tonight
I don't make the orders, I obey them
Don't you bury me before the fight

We were thinking of our homes and dread that filled our marrow
Thinking of our daughters and our sons
Of our parents and our loves and the mournful moon above us
And the eyes behind those deadly foreign guns

Chorus

We were captives of the laws that protect our sovereign country
Captives of that old eternal lie
Men, our cause is just and right, God will guard us in the battle
Show your courage by your willingness to die

Chorus

The reasons that they gave us were honey sweet and hollow
Promises of justice, peace and joy
But some were made to lead and others made to follow
So understand this simple soldier boy

Chorus

As the Eastern sky grew pale our resolve began to weaken
Then the orders came, make ready for the fight
So we formed reluctant ranks, said our last farewells and parted
Humanity we buried with the night

Gordon Menzies