Leonard Cohen

Now the captain called me to his bed
He fumbled for my hand
"take these silver bars," he said
"im giving you command."
"command of what, theres no one here
Theres only you and me --
All the rest are dead or in retreat
Or with the enemy."
"complain, complain, thats all youve done
Ever since we lost
If its not the crucifixion
Then its the holocaust."
"may christ have mercy on your soul
For making such a joke
Amid these hearts that burn like coal
And the flesh that rose like smoke."
"i know that you have suffered, lad,
But suffer this awhile:
Whatever makes a soldier sad
Will make a killer smile."
"im leaving, captain, I must go
Theres blood upon your hand
But tell me, captain, if you know
Of a decent place to stand."
"there is no decent place to stand
In a massacre;