The soldier boy for his soldier's pay, obeys The sergeant at arms, whatever he says The sergeant will for his sergeant's pay, obey The captains until his dying day The captain will, for his captain's pay, obey The general order of battle play The generals bow to the government, obey the charge You must not relent What of the neighbours and the prophets in bars? What are they saying in our public bazaars? We are tired of the tune, "you must not relent" At every stroke of the bell in the tower, there goes Another boy from another side The bulletins that steady come in say those Familiar words at the top of the hour The jamming city increases its hum, and those Terrible words continue to come Through brass music of government, hear those Guns tattoo a roll on the drums No one mentions the neighbouring war No one knows what their fighting is for We are tired of the tune, "you must not relent" The generals bow to the government We're tired of the tune, "you must not relent"