pre>(1992 by graham parker, submitted by kirk anderson) (kanderso@wheatonma.edu)
D a
They took their kids in their teenage years
D g
Fitted them out with combat gear,
D a bm g
Filled their hearts with mortal fear and sent them away
D a
Some came home their pants in creases
D g
Some came home in bits and pieces
D a g d
The president made a lot of speeches and went fishing for the day

D a d g
'cause they have short memories, they forget it all so quickly
D a bm g
They have short memories, now it's gone
D a d g
They have short memories, it disappears just like quicksilver
D a g d
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

[bridge]
Em
You can't stop a train or catch the rain drops
D a g
As they come falling
Em
Sure there'll be another war
D a
Sure as sure the call-up will come calling

D a
They took their kids in their teenage years
D g
Gave them a god that they could fear
D a bm g
Said they could kill but not drink beer
Bm g
And sent them away
D a
Some came home in a body bag
D g
Some came home wrapped in a flags
D a g d
And on each toe there hung a tag saying there'll be more someday

[repeat first chorus]
G em d
...now it's gone, now it's gone, now it's gone /pre>