To horse, and foot, and gun

They will tell of the peace eternal And we would wish them well. They will scorn the path of war’s red wrath And brand it the road to hell. They will set aside their warrior pride And their love for the soldier sons. But at last they will turn again To horse., and foot, and guns. They will tell of the peace eternal. The Assyrian dreamers did. But the Tigris and the Euphrates ran through ruined lands. And amid the hopeless chaos Loud they wept and called their chosen ones To save their lives at the bitter last. With horse, and foot,, and guns. They will tell of the peace eternal, And may that peace succeed. But what of a foe that lurks to spring? And what of a nation’s need? The letters blaze on history’s page, And ever the writing runs, God, and honor, and native land, And horse, and foot, and guns.