The soldier boy for his soldier's pay, obeys

The sergeant at arms, whatever he says

The sergeant will for his sergeant's pay, obey

The captains until his dying day

The captain will, for his captain's pay, obey

The general order of battle play

The generals bow to the government, obey the charge

You must not relent What of the neighbours and the prophets in bars?

What are they saying in our public bazaars?

We are tired of the tune, "you must not relent" At every stroke of the bell in the tower, there goes

Another boy from another side

The bulletins that steady come in say those

Familiar words at the top of the hour

The jamming city increases its hum, and those

Terrible words continue to come

Through brass music of government, hear those

Guns tattoo a roll on the drums No one mentions the neighbouring war

No one knows what their fighting is for

We are tired of the tune, "you must not relent" The generals bow to the government

We're tired of the tune, "you must not relent"