Story Behind The Song

The song was written due to the anger and frustration of sending hundreds of thousands of young men to their deaths, often unprotected over open land, while their generals sat in safety 20 miles behind the front lines.

Song Description

A soldier pondering his future and the loss of his friends at war. The song was originally written with WW1 and the trenches in mind.

Lyrics

Soldier Joe

We sat and talked all through the night
Of the day ahead when we would fight
And we waited for the dawning light
When we would go to war
Some of my friends were killed today
As we charged across the no-mans-way
And now it's peaceful where they lay
They'll cry in fear no more

Soldiers come and soldiers go
And the politicians they don't know
A friend lies bleeding in the snow
A million miles from home
A shot rings out, and heaven calls
Another broken spirit falls
But God's on our side after all
A million miles from home

Soldier Joe, where-ever you go
Go strong, go true, go free
Soldier Joe, whatever you do
Do well, do right by me

We raced across an open field
No place to hide, no armour shield
And we all knew our fate was sealed
When we would go to war
Then fear it starts to slow me down
As I think about my old home town
And soon I'm lying on the ground
Just like my friends before


Music and lyrics by Richard Hawke
Eliasgarden Music

© 2009 Richard Hawke

Playlist Creator	Playlist Name	Date Added
Raymond Widje	My Top Songs	2/18/2011