Michael Merenda: Listen

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Soldier For the Prince
by Michael Merenda

“I can make no guarantee, Love, that you won’t be alone”
An’ I tried to tell her kindly before I’s shipped and gone
“I’m a soldier for the prince, Love, and my honor tried and true”
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two

True to form, I kissed her lips before we said goodbye
“Heaven help us” was all she said besides “You’re far too young to die.”
“Tis’ true, Love, and it shant be,” as I headed for the cue
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two

O, the canon balls flew constant, black smoke everywhere
And the sound of men a-moanin’ hung heavy in the air
The agony of the battle it was much more than I knew
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two

A rifle ball caught my ear, and sent me to the ground
While the battle raged around me somehow I was never found
I woke up in the morning; 3000 men dead in the dew
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two

I returned a decorated soldier for the prince
Though 30 years have passed and perished each day I think on it and wince
Now that half my face is missing thank God I had the time to woo
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two

“I can make no guarantee, Love, that you won’t be alone”
An’ I tried to tell her kindly before I’s shipped and gone
“I’m a soldier for the prince, Love, and my honor tried and true”
Once when she was only eighteen and I was twenty-two