They took their kids in their teenage years Fitted them out with combat gear, Filled their hearts with mortal fear and sent them away Some came home their pants in creases Some came home in bits and pieces The president made a lot of speeches and went fishing for the day 'Cause they have short memories, they forget it all so quickly They have short memories, now it's gone They have short memories, it disappears just like quicksilver They have short memories, now it's gone My Daddy was in Nicosea, Egypt and North Korea He came back to a good career, shovelling coal I was just the village lout I never got my finger out I never wanted for anything still I broke and entered and stole You can't stop a train or catch the rain drops As they come falling Sure there'll be another war Sure as sure the call-up will come calling They took their kids in their teenage years Gave them a God that they could fear Said they could kill but not drink beer And sent them away Some came home in a body bag Some came home wrapped in a flags And on each toe there hung a tag saying there'll be more someday [repeat first chorus] ...now it's gone, now it's gone, now it's gone