(1992 by Graham Parker, submitted by Kirk Anderson) (kanderso@wheatonma.edu)

D A

They took their kids in their teenage years

D G

Fitted them out with combat gear,

D A Bm G

Filled their hearts with mortal fear and sent them away

D A

Some came home their pants in creases

D G

Some came home in bits and pieces

D A G D

The president made a lot of speeches and went fishing for the day



D A D G

'Cause they have short memories, they forget it all so quickly

D A Bm G

They have short memories, now it's gone

D A D G

They have short memories, it disappears just like quicksilver

D A G D

They have short memories, now it's gone



My Daddy was in Nicosea, Egypt and North Korea

He came back to a good career, shovelling coal

I was just the village lout I never got my finger out

I never wanted for anything still I broke and entered and stole



[bridge]

Em

You can't stop a train or catch the rain drops

D A G

As they come falling

Em

Sure there'll be another war

D A

Sure as sure the call-up will come calling



D A

They took their kids in their teenage years

D G

Gave them a God that they could fear

D A Bm G

Said they could kill but not drink beer

Bm G