Well he was born His father's pride and joy His young life scored Before it began Dressed up in blue His mother's only boy Someday this child Would have to be a man He went to school Shiny and white as pearl They did not teach The things he should learn Things he would need in this deceitful world Which way to run or which way to turn He became strong Everyone looked to him One of the boys A beacon in the night And when he spoke People would gather in They would stay close He'd make them feel alright One one precious life Only a memory tonight One one precious life Only a memory to light The years of tenderness Make them burn bright He wasn't scared He had no fear at all Said his goodbyes And marched off to war As he looked back He heard his mother call Said she be waiting At Heaven's door Soon to be killed Left on a muddy field All of his thoughts Were scattered just like seed He never knew Threw up his arms and reeled He felt no pain His heart start to bleed One one precious life Only a memory tonight One one precious life Only a memory to light The years of tenderness Make them burn bright Only a memory tonight One one one precious life Only a memory to light The years of tenderness Make them burn, burn, burn