This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
We're at war?All the papers say
We will win?I read today
We are strong?It wasn't us
We are right?Who started this
Leave your work?I just left school
Leave your home?I am no fool
Take up arms?It left me strong
Sound alarms?The school bell rings
Sons of men who stand like Gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
Join up here?I wave good-bye
We need you?Oh my breast sighs
Have no fear?Now I must try
God will be?With braver men
Take the vow?I know it's right
Praise the flag?The good fight
We're at war?I'm on my way
We will win?Why do I pray
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
I wait here in this hole
Playing poker with my soul
I hold the rifle close to me
It lights the way to keep me free
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
If I die and still come home
Lay me where the rose is sown
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
We will win?I read today
We are strong?It wasn't us
We are right?Who started this
Leave your work?I just left school
Leave your home?I am no fool
Take up arms?It left me strong
Sound alarms?The school bell rings
Sons of men who stand like Gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
Join up here?I wave good-bye
We need you?Oh my breast sighs
Have no fear?Now I must try
God will be?With braver men
Take the vow?I know it's right
Praise the flag?The good fight
We're at war?I'm on my way
We will win?Why do I pray
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
I wait here in this hole
Playing poker with my soul
I hold the rifle close to me
It lights the way to keep me free
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
If I die and still come home
Lay me where the rose is sown
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
Lyrics submitted by Dave_Martera
Where the Rose Is Sown Lyrics as written by Brzezicki Adamson
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is definitely an underrated 80's classic !