The Young Pretender

Strawbs - The Young Pretender



Bring out your dead

The captain said

With no sense of remorse

The battle is not over

We must make a show of force

The silver band began to play

The moon began to rise

I could not hear their music

But I could read it in their eyes



My friend, the young pretender

Simply did not understand

Bring out your dead

The captain said

Or you will join the band



Bring out your dead

The captain said

We fight again at noon

For those who are courageous

It can never come too soon

The ship of fools came sailing by

On the early morning tide

Her sails were hanging lifeless

But her flag flew high with pride



My friend, the young pretender

Had forgotten to take note

Bring out your dead

The captain said

Or you will miss the boat



Bring out your dead

The captain said

The victory is near

The battle is all over

And the way ahead marked clear

The carnival procession

Took its third trip round the town

The bandsmen raised their trumpets

And the walls came a-tumbling down



My friend, the young pretender

Took a candle to the night

Bring out your dead

The captain said

It's time to see the light



Bring out your dead

The captain said

The band is leaving town

The ship will sail without you

And the only way is down

The windy streets were empty

And the damage cleared away

The townsfolk were preparing

To rebuild the wall next day

My friend, the young pretender

Took the lion to the Iamb

Bring out your dead

The captain said

He did not give a damn