The Retreat Lyrics - Elton John

They laid beneath the pine trees with their caps over their eyes 

They were drunk with home and mama as they brushed away the flies 

In an instant before the sunrise they had gunned the rebels down 

As their flags were torn at half mast in the ruins of the town 

There were white sails on the water for the crippled on the beach 

There was a lack of ammunition so the cause was incomplete 

When the bugle blew at breakfast and they knew their ships were in 

Signs of grand assurance were carried on the wind 

Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities 

Came the message from the front 

For the captains, captains quarters must retreat 

Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks 

They just chalked it down in history but they kept their uniforms 

They put their medals on the sideboards and they went back to their farms 

For it was just a mere reminder that they stood beside the best 

That God had saved the chosen few and the devil took the rest 

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On the planes above the rock face where the sculptured eagles swoop 

There's a haunted yell for action among the spectres of his troops 

It was silent on the coastline as the crazy angels danced