Prologue-The Education of Gentleman

 Walking through the city after recent rain
 Heard ancient stones all shining murmur where are they?
 How long before next hero's day
 And the splendid show of [bad word] and gun

 Walking by the river one September eve
 Saw questions rise in circles on that old dark stream
 Where now are those who dared to dream
 They would leave one jewel in England's hand

 Gone to sleep they lie in flowered graves
 For the visitors and Guidebook saved
 [bad word] the [bad word] shattered dawn
 Will the spirit they shared be reborn

 [bad word] in arms, may they rise, fight and shine again,
 Till "who goes there", will be answered with friend again

 Once there stood a man, alone, sword in his hand
 In the face of the teeth and flame
 And it was all in England's name

 I was told how she grew, she alone shone her light on everyone
 And if you made the first eleven then you'd be sure to get to heaven,
 Like the captain of the school

 I was taught how to win
 And to lose with that "get you next time" smile,
 Learned Latin verbs in fear of a beating
 And for years thought central heating,
 Was for just old people's homes

 I was raised on the past, the Tower and Saint Paul's and Westminster
 Escorted well-bred girls to dances, and learned to drive a horse in harness,
 Through the English countryside
 I was taught to behave, like an officer and a gentleman,
 And when I finally marched from Sandhurst
 I learned to put my fellow man first
 And there was daily talk of war
 I spent 1938 in the United States of America,
 I grew to love it's many faces, and they had built some amazing places,
 And I thought [bad word] in on our side

 Love at First Sight

 Girls, oh there were girls
 But they were just part of the social whirl
 And I never took much notice
 Until the night that I met you

 Standing out there alone
 Out on the terrace under the moon
 From the moment that I kissed you
 My life turned into a dream

 I knew I loved you at first sight
 And that you loved .. me
 Was it really happening, or was it a dream?

 I asked if you'd be mine
 Feeding the white doves by the Serpentine
 And when you said forever
 I know that I almost cried

 You all in white
 The tears and the laughing
 Nearly losing the [bad word] ring
 Yes, I do ... Yes, I will... keep you from harm

 Those few short days
 We spent together
 Remembered forever
 All the plans - for the house and for the children

 I know I loved you at first sight
 And that you loved... me
 Did it really happen then, or was it a dream?

 I knew when I saw your face
 Opening orders, the time and the place
 Oh, don't worry it won't last long
 And I won't be far away
 I'll try to write every day...

 Letters From the Front

 Got your letters at the front today
 If you like the house well buy it straight away
 Yes, its great now youre a full-time nurse
 But do be careful with the air-raids - getting worse

 Must end now... the push is on... were moving out...
 All my love... see you soon

 I'm writing to you on a convoy moving west
 It's [bad word] out here but were all trying to do our best
 I learned today that I get two weeks leave in June
 This time I promise you a real honeymoon

 Must end now... take care my love... you're all the world
 To me my love...see you soon

 The telegram... dropped from my hand
 She was all I had... I just don't understand
 I see her now... in that white dress she wore
 Those eyes and that smile
 No one else... nevermore

 Decorations and respect inside the club
 [bad word] when you lose the one you love
 But in the end, all that is left
 Is the regiment and what it means
 To be... an officer and a gentleman...