Leon Russell Ballad For A Soldier Lyrics

When I was just a young boy, I played with swords and guns, and I dreamed of the day I'd become a soldier.
And kill all of the enemy, my country 'tis of thee.
I sing this anthem sadly, wont you hear me.
I watched the cannons blazing, on the giant silver screen.
The swastikas were burning and the hero was me.
The general gave the order, gladly I obeyed.
But the movie faded quickly all at once today.
And now I stand alone with the charges made, no where to run, not a place to hide.
We're sad little children playing grown-up games.
Guess the time has come, the damage has been done.
Stray dogs that live on the highway, walk on three legs.
Cause they learn to slow to get the message.
Just like the Indians in the early days.
Battles lost and won, yet it still goes on.
It's just another ballad for soldier.
I had no understanding 'till I saw my mother cry, when they told how many babies I had killed that night.
A dozen color photographs inside of a magazine, told the morbid story like a movie screen.
But I was not the hero I thought myself to be, movies are much different than reality.
The general was convicted to get off of the hook, but the President might free me for the chance I took.
And we all stand alone when the charge is made, sad way to live, what a way to die.
We're all little children playing grown-up games, can we burn the gun before the next time comes.
Stray dogs that live on the highway walk on three legs, they move to slow to get the message.
Give up and win, that's all I have to say, we haven't really won till all the fightin' done, and there are no more ballads for the soldiers.