Four hours gone
We're not the only ones
Who crave the kick of white-hot lead
To lay the bastards down
Under a reddening sun
We justify the oldest crimes
through orders passed on down the line
Four years on
The iron of my youth is gone
My limbs shake in imitation of
The fear and hate we sowed
Under that reddening sun
The night hours cannot bring relief
to those who live in fear of sleep
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
Pin my medals to my chest
Tell my girl I did my best
I asked no questions
and bought a lie
And when all this is over
I will sing my heart out
We're not the only ones
Who crave the kick of white-hot lead
To lay the bastards down
Under a reddening sun
We justify the oldest crimes
through orders passed on down the line
Four years on
The iron of my youth is gone
My limbs shake in imitation of
The fear and hate we sowed
Under that reddening sun
The night hours cannot bring relief
to those who live in fear of sleep
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
Pin my medals to my chest
Tell my girl I did my best
I asked no questions
and bought a lie
And when all this is over
I will sing my heart out
Contributed by giorgio - 2020/7/2 - 14:30
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Lyrics & music by Billy Liar (except the chorus, which owes more than a little to the dehumanising process of late twentieth century US Army training and a certain film by Stanley Kubrick).
Album: Made To Break / Four Hours
« But.. these are human beings, unarmed civilians, sir! » The last famous words before the massacre.
Hugh Thompson shortly before the My Lai Massacre. He had turned to sergeant David Mitchell, who replied that the only way to help them was to put them out of their misery…then to second lieutenant William Calley, 1st Platoon Company C commander ..
Calley: This is my business.
Thompson: What is this? Who are these people?
Calley: Just following orders.
Thompson: Orders? Whose orders?
Calley: Just following...
Thompson: But, these are human beings, unarmed civilians, sir.
Calley: Look Thompson, this is my show. I'm in charge here. It ain't your concern.
Thompson: Yeah, great job.
Calley: You better get back in that chopper and mind your own business.
Thompson: You ain't heard the last of this!