The Crest Lyrics - Singles - The Men They Couldt Hang

I've nothing left to give you, but for one last thing I've saved 

In the comer of the cellar look inside the iron chest 

Bearing seven silver medals there lies wrapped a wooden crest 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

The name on the last medal is a man I never knew 

Though I bore his name and nature and his conscience as I grew 

When they shipped him back from Passchendaele it was raining in his head 

Not caused by any bullet but by the faces of the dead 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

When the boys came home from Dunkirk Beach, the crest came down to me 

And I served as stretcher bearer up the back of Italy 

But I didn't slow a bullet or blow any flesh apart 

My medal was a red cross that was strapped across my heart 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

Many decades later I have seen the bounty drop 

We scattered those generations now we reap a ruined crop 

The brains, the brawn, the beauty each in turn were sacrificed 

And marked up with a plain cross like the suffering Jesus Christ 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

I wish that I could give you something fine and something proud 

A history of stuggle to emancipate the crowd 

But all I give's a blessing take the shield down to the sea 

Sacrifice tradition and save your family 

>From the father to the son 

Like a bullet from a gun 

Seven silver crosses hammered on a wooden one 

(repeat)