Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes Lyrics
Rod Mckuen
Lyrics
Come and take my eldest son, Show him how to shoot a gun
Wipe his eyes if he starts to cry When the bullets fly.
Give him a rifle, take his hoe, Show him a field where he can go
To lay his body down and die Without asking why Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians Sticks and stones can break your bones, Even names can hurt you
But the thing that hurts the most Is when a man deserts you
Don't you think it's time to weed The leaders that no longer lead
From the people of the land Who'd like to see their sons again? Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians God if men could only see The lessons taught by history
That all the singers of this song Cannot right a single wrong
Let all men of good will Stay in the fields they have to till
Feed the mouths they have to fill And cast away their arms Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes number practically zero
But there are millions who want to be civilians
Song & Lyrics Facts
Rod McKuen's song "Soldiers Who Want to Be Heroes" was released on his album of the same name in 1970. The folk-pop genre album was produced by McKuen himself, and featured him as lead vocalist with accompaniment from a variety of other artists including Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, and John Denver.
The lyrics for the song were written by Rod McKuen himself and tell the story of soldiers who are eager to be heroes but ultimately find themselves in an unenviable situation. The song is said to have been inspired by the Vietnam War, making it particularly poignant at the time of its release. It remains one of McKuen's most popular songs today and has been covered by many different bands and singers over the years.