You Were Born To Be In Battle Lyrics - The Grand Theatre Volume One - Old 97's

It's the spring of your time 

And the time has come 

The open road receives you 

Won't you roll to a stop 

Won't you gaze at the drop 

And the awful miles before you? 

Take care where you step 

Don't you know that it's death 

And life and love you straddle 

Stay right if you can 

Oh, you poor old man 

You were born to be in battle 

In the summer you'll find 

That your road runs aside 

A tangled man-made thicket 

Take care you don't lean 

Dip your toe in the stream 

That sweeps away the wicked 

Survey all you see 

'Cause there's still time to leave 

The briar and the bramble 

Stay right if you can 

Oh, you poor old man 

You were born to be in battle 

In the fall of your time 

You're astounded to find 

So much is now behind you 

With kids of your own 

You'll be scared 'fore you know 

Just what the dark can undo 

Tell them what I told you 

In days of your youth 

Watch well with whom you travel 

Stay right if you can 

Oh, you poor old man 

You were born to be in battle 

In the winter of life 

You'll be asked for your life 

Lay down, all forts surrender 

And all that is you 

That is precious and true 

Is the awful price you'll tender 

And I will look on 

But I long for you, son 

Don't tarry there, don't amble 

Stay right if you can 

Oh, you poor old man 

You were born to be in battle