Chorus:
And you shoulder your burden so we can lift sword and shield
And you toil in sun scorching so we can take to the field
When the army is mustered, you stand fourth in the charts,
But for the care that you give us, you are first in our hearts.
You arise in the morning, with the first light of dawn
And make ready for battle, but put no armor on.
As we sings songs of glory, you're in duty immersed
For to fight that fierce foeman, the strength-stealing thirst.
And you shoulder your burden so we can lift sword and shield
And you toil in sun scorching so we can take to the field
When the army is mustered, you stand fourth in the charts,
But for the care that you give us, you are first in our hearts.
As we march off to battle, you fill rank and file
Serving sweet water, repaid with a smile.
Just like the Danaids, your task never ends,
Giving drink to those thirsting, be they foemen or friends.
And you shoulder your burden so we can lift sword and shield
And you toil in sun scorching so we can take to the field
When the army is mustered, you stand fourth in the charts,
But for the care that you give us, you are first in our hearts.
When the war's over, the last cannon's fired,
The soldiers exhausted, sore, dirty and tired
Croak out cries of water as they sink to the ground,
But a host of sweet angels soon gathers around.
And you shoulder your burden so we can lift sword and shield
And you toil in sun scorching so we can take to the field
When the army is mustered, you stand fourth in the charts,
But for the care that you give us, you are first in our hearts.
You serve without glory, with no thought of gain
Save to strengthen our vigor, to vanquish our pain.
Be they fyrdman or huscarl, knight or one without ranks,
Whoe'er wears the war tabard must give you great thanks.
And you shoulder your burden so we can lift sword and shield
And you toil in sun scorching so we can take to the field
When the army is mustered, you stand fourth in the charts,
But for the care that you give us, you are first in our hearts.
Copyright 2002, Steven A. Boyd
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