Elton John - The Retreat

They laid beneath the pine trees
With their caps over their eyes
They were drunk with home and mamma
As they brushed away the flies
In an instant before the sunrise
They had gunned the rebels down
As their flags were torn at half mast
In the ruins of the town

There were white sails on the water
For the crippled on the beach
There was a lack of ammunition
So the cause was incomplete
When the bugle blew at breakfast
And they knew their ships were in
Signs of grand assurance were
Carried on the wind

Take it home, take it low
Take responsibilities
Came the message from the front
For the captains, captains quarters must retreat
Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks

They just chalked it down in history
But they kept their uniforms
They put their medals on the sideboards
And they went back to their farms
For it was just a mere reminder
That they stood beside the best
That God had saved the chosen few
And the devil took the rest

On the planes above the rock face
Where the sculptured eagles swoop
There's a haunted yell for action
Among the spectres of his troops
It was silent on the coastline
As the crazy angels danced
With the sound of retreating footfall
From his military camp