G Am
King Henry marched forth, a sword in his hand,
G Dm
Two thousand horsemen all at his command;
G Am G
In a fortnight the rivers ran red through the land,
Dm Am G
The year fifteen hundred and twenty.
[Verse 2]
Am
The year it is now nineteen sixty-five,
G Dm
It's easier far to stay half-alive.
G Am G
Just keep your mouth shut while the planes zoom and dive
Dm Am G
Ten thousand miles over the ocean.
[Verse 3]
Am
Simon was drafted in sixty-three
G Dm
In sixty-four, sent over the sea
G Am G
Last month this letter he sent to me
Dm Am G
He said, "You won't like what I'm sayin'."
[Verse 4]
Am
He said, "We've no friends here, no hardly a one,
G Dm
We've got a few generals who just want our guns.
G Am G
But it'll take more than that if we're ever to win;
Dm Am G
Why, we'll have to flatten the country."
[Verse 5]
Am
"It's my own troops I have to watch out for," he said,
G Dm
"I sleep with a pistol right under my head;"
G Am G
He wrote this last month, last week he was dead,
Dm Am G
And Simon came home in a casket.
[Verse 6]
Am
I mind my own business, I watch my TV,
G Dm
Complain about taxes but pay anyway.
G Am G
In a civilized manner my forefathers betray
Dm Am G
Who long ago struggled for freedom.
[Verse 7]
Am
But each day a new headline screams at my bluff,
G Dm
On TV some general says we must be tough.
G Am G
In my dreams I stare at this family I love
Dm Am G
All gutted and spattered with napalm.
[Verse 8]
G Am
King Henry marched forth, a sword in his hand,
G Dm
Two thousand horsemen all at his command;
G Am G
In a fortnight the rivers ran red through the land,
Dm Am G
The year fifteen hundred and twenty.
[Verse 9]
Am
The year it is now nineteen sixty-five,
G Dm
It's easier far to stay half alive.
G Am G
Just keep your mouth shut while the planes zoom and dive
Dm G
Ten thousand miles over the ocean.
[Alternate verse 2/9:]
G Am
The year it is now much later it seems,
G Dm
It's easier far, in the land of our dreams,
G Am G
Just keep your mouth shut and don't hear the screams
Dm Am G
Ten thousand miles over the ocean.
