Soldiers Song Chords

  			
    Em                             Bm 
The smoke was slowly rising as the light began to fade, 
           Am                             C 
There were fires on the skyline from some distant border raid. 
          G                          D                Am 
And I was riding out at seventeen to join my first brigade 
     Em 
Many years ago. 


      Am             Em                  Am            Em 
And I chanced upon a farmhouse where the woman took me in, 
    C                G                 Am               Em 
She gave me food and wine; she gave me shelter from the wind. 
    G                                D             Am 
She delayed me from my regiment, and service of my king 
     Em 
Many years ago. 


She said: 
G                  D 
"Soldier, before I lose you to the fight, 
      Em                   Am           C 
Oh my soldier, I'll make a man of you tonight." 
            G 
She took me over 
       D 
In the fading fire-glow, 
        Am                              Em 
On that wild and misty night she was my woman. 


    Em                             Bm 
And when I rose next morning I was gone before she stirred, 
  Am                              C 
I tore myself away from there and left without a word. 
    G                                 D            Am 
The sound of distant infantry was the only thing I heared 
        Em 
On that morning. 


     Am           Em                 Am              Em 
And in that day I aged ten years and died a thousand deaths, 
  C                   G                Am             C 
I learned the feel of frozen steel and fear within my breast. 
        G                              D            Am 
But the lesson I'll remember till they lay me to my rest 
         Em 
Keeps returning. 


G                  D 
"Soldier, before I lose you to the fight, 
      Em                   Am           C 
Oh my soldier, I'll make a man of you tonight." 
            G 
She took me over 
       D 
In the fading fire-glow, 
        Am                              Em 
On that wild and misty night she was my woman. 


    Em                                   Bm 
And when the dice of war were thrown and victory was won, 
   Am                             C 
My drunken young compatriots went out to have their fun. 
          G                                D            Am 
And there was no single house they did not burn or over-run, 
        Em 
On that evening. 


     Am               Em             Am              Em 
So I rode out to that place again as hard as I could ride, 
      C                G               Am             Em 
But I found her by the trail along the lonely mountainside. 
       G                                        D                Am 
In the hands of those brave friends of mine she suffered and she died, 
     Em 
Many years ago. 

G                  D 
"Soldier, before I lose you to the fight, 
      Em                   Am           C 
Oh my soldier, I'll make a man of you tonight." 
            G 
She took me over 
       D 
In the fading fire-glow, 
        Am                              Em 
On that wild and misty night she was my woman.