The March Of The Dead - Ver 2

G F C Em G F C Em Em D C Em The cruel war was over ? oh, the triumph was so sweet! Em D C Em We watched the troops returning, through our tears; Em D C Em There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet glittering street Em C Em And you scarce could hear the music for the cheers Em D C Em And you scarce could see the house-tops for the flags that flew between; Em D C Em The bells were pealing madly to the sky; Em D C Em And everyone was shouting for the soldiers of the Queen Em C Em And the glory of an age was passing by Em D C Em And then there came a shadow, swift and sudden, dark and drear; Em D C Em The bells were silent, not an echo stirred Em D C Em The flags were drooping sullenly, the men forgot to cheer; Em C Em We waited, and we never spoke a word Em D C Em The sky grew darker, darker, till from out the gloomy rack Em D C Em There came a voice that checked the heart with dread: Em D Em "Tear down, tear down your bunting now, and hang up sable black; Em C Em They are coming? it's the Army of the Dead." Em D C Em They were coming, they were coming, gaunt and ghastly, sad and slow Em D C Em They were coming, all the crimson wrecks of pride; Em D C Em With faces seared, and cheeks red smeared, and haunting eyes of woe Em C Em And clotted holes the khaki couldn't hide Em D C Em Oh, the clammy brow of anguish! the livid, foam-flecked lips! Em D C Em The reeling ranks of ruin swept along! Em D C Em The limb that trailed, the hand that failed, the bloody finger tips Em F Em And oh, the dreary rhythm of their song! Em D C Em "They left us on the veldt-side, but we felt we couldn't stop Em C Em On this, our England's crowning festal day; Em D C Em We're the men of Magersfontein, we're the men of Spoin Kop Em D C Em Colenso? we're the men who had to pay Em D C Em We're the men who paid the blood-price Em D C Em Shall the grave be all our gain? Em F Em You owe us. Long and heavy is the score Em D C Em Then cheer us for our glory now, and cheer us for our pain Em C D Em And cheer us as you never cheered before." Em D C Em The folks were white and stricken, each tongue seemed weighed with lead; Em D C Em Each heart was clutched in hollow hand of ice; Em D C Em And every eye was staring at the horror of the dead Em F Em The pity of the men who paid the price Em C Em They were come, were come to mock us, in the first flush of our peace; Em D C Em Through writhing lips their teeth were all agleam; Em D C Em They were coming in their thousands? oh, would they never cease! Em D C Em I closed my eyes and then ? it was a dream Em C Em I closed my eyes and then ? it was a dream Em D C Em There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet gleaming street; Em D C Em The town was mad; a man was like a boy Em D C Em A thousand flags were flaming where the sky and city meet; Em C Em A thousand bells were thundering the joy Em D C Em There was music, mirth and sunshine, but some eyes shone with regret; Em D C Em And while we stun with cheers our homing braves Em D C Em O God, in Thy great mercy, let us nevermore forget Em C Em The graves they left behind, the bitter graves Em C Em The graves they left behind, the bitter graves