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