Christmas, 1914

flanders is dreary and covered with frost
as we try to recover the friends that we've lost
ypres was bought for a terrible price
and the pools in the trench are turning to ice

we are commanded to stay here and die
but a voice in our soul begs to know why
we stare from this mud at stars shinin' above
we hear the nightingales larks and the doves

if you give me a chance i'll raise the white flag
and we can share whiskey brandy and fags
i hear the love in your glorious song
just begging for me to help sing along

the nip in the air has grown strident and brash
blows cold through our rags and stings like a lash
the chill in our souls is frostier still
we face one another with orders to kill

but a few tots of rum and a few drams of gin
and we dream of lovers and mothers and kin
i feel the love in your glorious song
just begging for me to help sing along

we could be brothers
just for today
we could be brothers
til destiny tears you away