Lyrics
I’ve followed the pipes and I’ve followed the drum
In the afternoon sunshine, in a torn apart field,
I stare at the blue sky, it seems so unreal,
So deathly quiet, but for the odd tin cup chime,
Don’t know who is coming, but I hope they bring wine.
Her dark eyes upon me, her face a sad frown,
A cool gentle touch, with her hand on my brow,
I swallow and smile, for a smile in return,
And at last I know why, I was placed on this earth.
I’ve followed the pipes and I’ve followed the drum,
I’ve fought for good wages and fought for none,
I’ve wandered from battle, to battle to war,
For when there was fighting, I’ve followed the call.
I sip from her cup, thankful I’m not alone,
As her soft gentle features, take me back home,
To a hearth and a table, and some age broken chairs,
Memories of loved ones, and my childhood there.
Father’s stiff features, turns his back on goodbye,
I hope he forgives me, now I understand why,
The tears mother cries, I feel damp on my cheek,
Those past nineteen years, clear like only last week.
I’ve followed the pipes and I’ve followed the drum,
I’ve fought for good wages and fought for none,
I’ve wandered from battle, to battle to war,
For when there was fighting, I’ve followed the call.
I ask for her name, sounds more like a groan,
And she soothingly rocks me, like I was her own,
I dream of a life, if we’d met before,
The wander lust took me, to fight war after war.
Wise eyes like my mother’s, looks still but a child,
Her words give me comfort, as do her brave smiles,
She sings a lullaby, as she wipes off the mud,
Her soft falling tears, help wipe off the blood.
I’ve followed the pipes and I’ve followed the drum,
I’ve fought for good wages and fought for none,
I’ve wandered from battle, to battle to war,
For when there was fighting, I’ve followed the call.
I’ve wandered from battle, to battle to war,
From this torn apart field, I’ll wander no more.
