there was a decorated general with
  a heart of gold, that likened him to
  all the stories he told
  of past battles, won and lost, and
  legends of old a seasoned veteran in
  his own time
    on the battlefield, he gained
  respectful fame with many metals
  of bravery and stripes to his name
  he grew a beard as soon as he could
  to cover the scars on his face
  and always urged his men on
    but on the eve of a great battle
  with the infantry in dream
  the old general tossed in his sleep
  and wrestled with its meaning
  he awoke from the night
  just to tell what he had seen
  and walked slowly out of his tent
    all the men held tall with their
  chests in the air, with courage in
  their blood and a fire in their stare
  it was a grey morning and they all
  wondered how they would fare
  till the old general told them to go home
    [CHORUS:]
  I have seen the others
  and I have discovered
  that this fight is not worth fighting
  I have seen their mothers
  and I will no other
  to follow me where I'm going
    Take a shower, shine your shoes
  you got no time to lose
  you are young men you must be living
  go now you are forgiven
    but the men stood fast with their
  guns on their shoulders not knowing
  what to do with the contradicting orders
  the general said he would do his own
  duty bout would not extend it not further
  the men could go as they pleased
    not a man moved, their eyes glazed
  straight ahead till one by one they
  stepped back and not a word was said
  and the old general was left with his
  own words echoing in his head
  he then prepared to fight
    [CHORUS]
    go now you are forgiven