Story Behind The Song

based on a conversation when I was young, many years ago.

Lyrics

1. My grandfather was born a gold rush miner's son

A Kootenay mountain boy, volunteered for world war one

He went to France at 18 years old

was poisoned by chlorine gas and then came home





2. When I was small, I asked him about the war

why were you there, who did you kill what did you see

He said I don't want to frighten you

But those stories would be hell if they weren't true



Chorus:

I pray , I hope, my child you'll never learn what I know

I pray , with luck, my child you'll never have to go



3. He said "war is cruel even when its won.

Everyone dies, even those who live on.

Like every man I made my choices,

Some of them are worth the haunted voices now."



4. My grandfather died some time ago

When I think back, now I know

why he thought his sacrifice was worth it

to give his children a future without war



Chorus:

I pray , I hope, my child you'll never learn what I know

I pray , with luck, my child you'll never have to go

I pray you'll never have to go