There was a decorated General with a heart of gold

That likened him to all the stories he told

Of past battles won and lost and legends of old

A seasoned veteran in his own time

On the battlefield he gained respect for fame

With many metals of bravery and stripes to his name

He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face

And always urged his men on

But on the eve of great battle with the infantry and dream

The old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaning

He awoke from that night to tell what he had seen

And walked slowly out of his tent

All the men held tall with their chests in the air

With the courage in their blood and a fire in their stare

And it was a gray morning and they all wondered how they would fair

Till the old general told them to go home

Chorus:

He said,

I have seen the others and I have discovered that this fight is not worth fighting

And I've have seen their mothers and I will no other to follow me where I'm going

So, take your shower, shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You are young men you must be living

Take your shower, shine your shoes

Well, you got no time to lose

You are young men you must be living

Go now you are forgiven

But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders

Not knowing what to do with the contradicting orders

The general said he would do his own duty

But he would extend it no further

The men could go as they pleased

But not a man moved their eyes gazed straight ahead

Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said

And the old general was left with his own words echoing in his head

He then prepared to fight

Chorus

He said,

I have seen the others and I have discovered that this fight is not worth fighting

And I've have seen their mothers and I will no other to follow me where I'm going

So, take your shower, shine your shoes

You got no time to lose

You are young men you must be living

Take your shower, shine your shoes

Well, you got no time to lose

You are young men you must be living

Go now you are forgiven

Go now you are forgiven

Go now you are forgiven

Go now you are forgiven

Go now you are forgiven