Verse: Ab D# There was decorated general with a heart of gold A#m Fm That likened him to all the stories he told Db Ab Of past battles won and lost and legends of old D# A seasoned veteran in his own time Ab D# On the battlefield he gained respect for fame A#m Fm With many medals of bravery and stripes to his name Db Ab He grew a beard as soon as a he could to cover the scars on his face D# And always urged his men on Ab D# But on the eve of great battle with the infantry in dream A#m Fm The old general tossed in his sleep a lesson with its meaning Db Ab He awoke from the night to tell what he had seen D# And walked slowly out his tent Ab D# All the men held tall with their chests in the air A#m Fm With the courage in their blood and the fire in their stare Db Ab And it was a grey morning and they all wondered how they would fare D# Till the old general told them to go home He said... Chorus: Ab D# A#m Fm Db I have seen the others and i have discovered Ab D# That this fight is not worth fighting Ab D# A#m Fm Db And iʼve seen their mothers and i will no other Ab D# To follow me where iʼm going, so... Ab D# A#m Take a shower and shine your shoes Fm Db You got no time to lose Ab D# You are young men you must be living D# E F Go now you are forgiven F E D# Verse: But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders Not knowing what to do with contradicting orders The general said he would do his own duty but extended it no further The men could go as they pleased But not a man moved their eyes gazed straight ahead Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said The old general was left with his own words echoing in his head He then prepared to fight Chorus.