King Henry

G Am King Henry marched forth, a sword in his hand, G Dm Two thousand horsemen all at his command; G Am G In a fortnight the rivers ran red through the land, Dm Am G The year fifteen hundred and twenty. Am The year it is now nineteen sixty-five, G Dm It's easier far to stay half-alive. G Am G Just keep your mouth shut while the planes zoom and dive, Dm Am G Ten thousand miles over the ocean. Am Simon was drafted in sixty-three, G Dm In sixty-four, sent over the sea. G Am G Last month this letter he sent to me, Dm Am G He said, "You won't like what I'm sayin'." Am He said, "We've no friends here, no hardly a one, G Dm We've got a few generals who just want our guns. G Am G But it'll take more than that if we're ever to win; Dm Am G Why, we'll have to flatten the country." Am "It's my own troops I have to watch out for," he said, G Dm "I sleep with a pistol right under my head;" G Am G He wrote this last month, last week he was dead, Dm Am G And Simon came home in a casket. Am I mind my own business, I watch my TV, G Dm Complain about taxes but pay anyway. G Am G In a civilized manner my forefathers betray, Dm Am G Who long ago struggled for freedom. Am But each day a new headline screams at my bluff, G Dm On TV some general says we must be tough. G Am G In my dreams I stare at this family I love, Dm Am G All gutted and spattered with napalm. G Am King Henry marched forth, a sword in his hand, G Dm Two thousand horsemen all at his command; G Am G In a fortnight the rivers ran red through the land, Dm Am G The year fifteen hundred and twenty. Am The year it is now nineteen sixty-five, G Dm It's easier far to stay half alive. G Am G Just keep your mouth shut while the planes zoom and dive Dm G Ten thousand miles over the ocean. Alternate verse 2/9 G Am The year it is now much later it seems, G Dm It's easier far, in the land of our dreams; G Am G Just keep your mouth shut and don't hear the screams, Dm Am G Ten thousand miles over the ocean.