The Patriot's Dream by Gordon Lightfoot
CAPO 2nd Fret
VERSE 1:
G C
The songs of the wars are as old as the hills
G A D
They cling like the rust on the cold steel that kills
G C
They tell of the boys who went down to the tracks
D C G
In a patriotic manner with the cold steel on their backs
VERSE 2:
G C
The patriot's dream is as old as the sky
G A D
It lives in the lust of a cold callous lie
G C
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
D C G
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills
Instrumental (Same as Verse)
VERSE 3:
G C
The train pulled away on that glorious night
G A D
The drummer got drunk and the bugler got tight
G C
While the boys in the back sang a song of good cheer
D C G
While riding off to glory in the spring of their years
VERSE 4:
G C
The patriot's dream still lives on today
G A D
It makes mothers weep and it makes lovers pray
G C
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
D C G
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills
*#(On 6th string strum/pluck notes G - F# - E while slowing tempo)#*
*#(In other words, walk down bass slowing pace)#*
VERSE 5:
Em G D Em G D Em
Well there was a sad, sad lady, weeping all night long
G D Em G D Em
She received a sad, sad message, from a voice on the telephone
G D Em G D Em
Her children were all sleeping, as she waited out the dawn
G D Em G D G
How could she tell those children, that their father was shot down
G D Em G D Em
She took them to her side that day, and she told them one by one
G D Em G D G B7
Your father was a good man ten-thousand miles from home____
Am D G Cmaj7
He tried to do his duty and it took him straight to hell
Am D G Cmaj7 Am
He might be in some prison, I hope he's treated well
VERSE 6:
Em G D Em G D Em
Well there was a young girl watching in the early afternoon
G D Em G D Em
When she heard the name of someone who said he'd be home soon
G D Em G D Em
And she wondered how they got him, but the papers did not tell
G D Em G D G
There would be no sweet reunion, there would be no wedding bells
G D Em G D Em
So she took herself into her room and she turned the bed sheets down
G D Em G D G B7
And she cried into the silken folds of her new wedding gown____
Am D G Cmaj7
He tried to do his duty and it took him straight to hell
Am D G Cmaj7 Am
He might be in some prison, I hope he's treated well
VERSE 7:
Em G D Em G D Em
Well there was an old man sitting in his mansion on the hill
G D Em G D Em
And he thought of his good fortune and the time he'd yet to kill
G D Em G D Em
Well he called to his wife one day, "Come sit with me awhile"
G D Em G D G
Then turning toward the sunset, he smiled a wicked smile
G D Em G D Em
"Well I'd like to say I'm sorry for the sinful deeds I've done
G D Em G D G B7
But let me first remind you, I'm a patriotic son____"
Am D G Cmaj7
They tried to do their duty and it took 'em straight to hell
Am D G Cmaj7 Am
They might be in some prison, I hope they're treated well
*#(Increase tempo to original)#*
VERSE 8:
G C
The songs of the wars are as old as the hills
G A D
They cling like the rust on the cold steel that kills
G C
They tell of the boys who went down to the tracks
D C G
In a patriotic manner with the cold steel on their backs
VERSE 9:
G C
The train pulled away on that glorious night
G A D
The drummer got drunk and the bugler got tight
G C
While the boys in the back sang a song of good cheer
D C G
While riding off to glory in the spring of their years
VERSE 10:
G C
The patriot's dream still lives on today
G A D
It makes mothers weep and it makes lovers pray
G C
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
D C G
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills
