Captain, Captain
I’ll follow gladly
My country’s honour to uphold
But sir tell me
Is it the duty of the young to die to save the old
My mamma’s home
She’s softly crying
She prays long for me at night
My father walks around so proudly
But inside he’s bent with fright
Sister smiles at all the young men
She doesn’t know what war’s about
My little brother plays at soldiers
All too soon he’ll find out
Captain, Captain
I’ll follow gladly
My country’s honour to uphold
But sir tell me
Is it the duty of the young to die to save the old
World War One killed my grandfather
My uncle died in World War Two
No-one died in Korea
I guess the family’s overdue
I want to live to get back home sir
Get a job, live quietly
I want to find a girl to love me
Settle down, raise a family
Captain, Captain
I’ll follow gladly
My country’s honour to uphold
But sir tell me
Is it the duty of the young to die to save the old