My Old Platoon Leader
The desert winds have turned my temples gray
A nuclear blast shakes the earth—a beat that starts to play
Hear the triumph's song as mountains sing along
This is our nation's heartbeat strong
Don't you fear for this sacred ground
Is where our sovereignty's truly found
We've loaded our youth in the chamber's cold embrace
Just to keep our homeland safe with honor and with grace
These medals worn with pride burn upon my chest
A silent testament putting my valor to the test
In the dead of night the old pain starts to creep
You'd say "Don't you weep ""Let your scars run deep "
They are the halo's light a constant glowing guide
Reminding us of the battlefield where we stood with pride—
That smokeless silent stage where duty was our call
Oh my old platoon leader where are you today
Are you patrolling the front line or guarding home's doorway
I salute you now as I greet the morning sun's first light
When the bugle calls again I'm still your soldier ready for the fight
This uniform is etched upon my soul a garment I'll never shed
If war should come you'll hear my answer: "Ready!"is what I've said
Here in the hall we raise our glasses high
To our great motherland beneath the vast and open sky
May she prosper and flourish through every generation
A beacon of peace for all of creation
You tell us not to rest for a new charge has begun
We see the market's glowing lights as our new sentry's station
May every deal we strike every victory won
Be a service to our nation till our work is done
And if the smoke of war should rise again one day
Please save the final bullet and let me have my say—
Just like that year when you gave me your last sip of water
To this young recruit your selfless son your son and daughter
Oh my old platoon leader please tell the August First Flag for me:
"The mountains and rivers are safe and sound and the old soldiers are still free "
If war should come you'll hear our answer: "Ready!"is our decree!
Even leaning on a cane I'll race to stand with thee