The Retreat

They laid beneath the pine trees with their caps over their eyes They were drunk with home and mama as they brushed away the flies In an instant before the sunrise they had gunned the rebels down As their flags were torn at half mast in the ruins of the town There were white sails on the water for the crippled on the beach There was a lack of ammunition so the cause was incomplete When the bugle blew at breakfast and they knew their ships were in Signs of grand assurance were carried on the wind Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities Came the message from the front For the captains, captains quarters must retreat Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks They just chalked it down in history but they kept their uniforms They put their medals on the sideboards and they went back to their farms For it was just a mere reminder that they stood beside the best That God had saved the chosen few and the devil took the rest So take it home, take it low, take responsibilities Came the message from the front For the captains, captains quarters must retreat Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks On the planes above the rock face where the sculptured eagles swoop There's a haunted yell for action among the spectres of his troops It was silent on the coastline as the crazy angels danced With the sound of retreating footfall from his military camp So take it home, take it low, take responsibilities Came the message from the front For the captains, captains quarters must retreat Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks Take it home Take it low Take responsibilities