The Things That Make A Soldier Great

G C G D C G C The things that make a soldier great and send him out to die, G C G D To face the flaming cannon’s mouth nor ever question why, G C Are lilacs by a little porch, the row of tulips red, Am Em D G The peonies and pansies, too, the old petunia bed, G D G C The grass plot where his children play, the roses on the wall: C G ‘Tis these that make a soldier great. G D G He’s fighting for them all. G C ‘Tis not the pomp and pride of kings that make a soldier brave; C Am G D ‘Tis not allegiance to the flag that over him may wave; D G C For soldiers never fight so well on land or on the foam C Am Em D G As when behind the cause they see the little place called home. G C Endanger but that humble street whereon his children run, Am C G You make a soldier of the man G D G who never bore a gun. G C What is it through the battle smoke the valiant solider sees? C Am G D G The little garden far away, the budding apple trees, G C G Bm The little patch of ground back there, the children at their play, C Em D G Perhaps a tiny mound behind the simple church of gray. G C The golden thread of courage isn’t linked to castle dome C G D G But to the spot, where’er it be — the humblest spot called home. G C And now the lilacs bloom again and all is lovely there C Am G D G And homesick soldiers far away know spring is in the air; D G C The tulips come to bloom again, the grass once more is green, C G Em D G And every man can see the spot where all his joys have been. C G Bm C He sees his children smile at him, he hears the bugle call, Em Am C G D G And only death can stop him now — he’s fighting for them all. G C G C G C D G