There was a decorated General with a heart of gold

That likened him to all the stories he told,

Of past battles won and lost

And legends of old

A seasoned veteran in his own time



On the battlefield he gained respectful fame

With many medals of bravery and stripes to his name

He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face

And always urged his men on



But on the eve of a great battle with all the infantry in dream

The Old General tossed in his sleep and wrestled with his meaning

He awoke from the night just to tell what he had seen

And walked slowly out of his tent



All the men held tall with their chest in the air

With courage in their blood and a fire in their stare

It was a gray morning and they were all wondering how they would fare

Till the old general told them to go home



He said: I have seen the others

And I have discovered

That this fight is not worth fighting

And I have seen their mothers

And I will no other, to follow me where I'm going

So



Take a shower, shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You are young and you must be living so

Take a shower, shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You are young and you must be living

Go now you are forgiven



Not a man moved their eyes gazed straight ahead,

Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said

And the old general was left with his own words echoing in his head

He then prepared to fight



He said: I have seen the others

And I have discovered

That this fight is not worth fighting

No, I have seen their mothers

and I will no other

to follow me where I'm going

So

Take a shower shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You're young and you must be living

So

Take a shower shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You're young and you must be living

Go now you are forgiven