The soldier boy for his soldiers pay

Obeys the sergeant at arms whatever he says



The sergeant will for his sergeant's pay

Obey the captain 'till 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 neighbors and the prophets in bars?

What are they saying in the public bazaar?

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 neighboring war

No one knows what they're fighting for

We are tired of the tune

You must not relent