The Hollies - Soldier's Song lyrics

The smoke was slowly rising as the light began to fade There were fires on the skyline from some distant border raid I was riding out at seventeen to join my first brigade Many years ago And I chanced upon a farmhouse where the woman took me in She gave me food and wine she gave me shelter from the wind She delayed me from my regiment and service of my king Many years ago She said "Soldier before I lose you to the fight Oh my soldier I'll make a man of you tonight" She took me over in the fading fireglow On that wild and misty night she was my woman When I rose next morning I was gone before she stood Tore myself away from there and left without a word The sound of distant infantry was the only sound I heard On that morning And in that day I aged ten years and died a thousand d**hs I learned the feel of frozen steel and fear within my breast But the lesson I'll remember till they lay me to my rest Keeps returning She said "Soldier before I lose you to the fight Oh my soldier I'll make a man of you tonight" She took me over in the fading fireglow On that wild and misty night she was my woman And when the dice of war were thrown and victory was won My drunken young compatriots went out to have their fun And there was no single house they didn't burn or overrun on that evening And I rode out to that place again as hard as I could ride But I found her by the cradle on that lonely mountainside In the hands of those brave friends of mine she suffered and she died Many years ago "Soldier before I lose you to the fight" She said "Soldier I'll make a man of you tonight" She took me over in the fading fireglow On that wild and misty night she was my woman