There they go marching all in step so gay! There they go marching all in step so gay! Smooth-cheeked and golden, food for shells and guns. Smooth-cheeked and golden, food for shells and guns. Blithely they go as to a wedding day, Blithely they go as to a wedding day, The mothers' sons. The mothers' sons. The drab street stares to see them row on row The drab street stares to see them row on row On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark. On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark. Too careless-gay for courage, singing they go Too careless-gay for courage, singing they go Into the dark. Into the dark. With tin whistles, mouth-organs, any noise, With tin whistles, mouth-organs, any noise, They pipe the way to glory and the grave; They pipe the way to glory and the grave; Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys Love cannot save. Love cannot save. High heart! High courage! The poor girls they kissed High heart! High courage! The poor girls they kissed Run with them: they shall kiss no more, alas! Run with them : they shall kiss no more, alas! Out of the mist they stepped-into the mist Out of the mist they stepped-into the mist Singing they pass. Singing they pass. |