08.31.05
One Tin Soldier
I remember singing this song at sleep away camp, years ago. I heard it on the radio last night (who knew that someone actually recorded it!?) and I was blown away by the appropriateness of the song in light of current events.
Listen people to a story
that was written long ago,
’bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley folks below.
On the mountain was a treasure
Hidden deep beneath a stone,
And the valley people swore
They’d have it for their very own.
Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of heaven,
you can justify it in the end.
There won’t be any trumpets blowing,
come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after…
One Tin Soldier rides away.
So the people of the valley
sent a message up the hill,
Asking for the buried treasure
Tons of gold for which they’d kill.
Came the answer from the kingdom,
With our brothers we will share,
All the riches of the mountain,
All the treasure buried there.
Now the valley cried with anger,
Mount your horses, draw your swords
And they killed the mountain people,
So they won their just rewards
Now they stood before the treasure
On the mountain dark and red
Turned the stone and looked beneath it…
Peace On Earth, was all it said.
Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat and friend,
Do it in the name of heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won’t be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after…
One Tin Soldier rides away.
composed by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert
jen said,
September 2, 2005 at 10:32 am
I just got goosebumps reading through those lyrics - and remembering singing them at camp. Thank you for posting.
La said,
September 21, 2005 at 4:00 pm
I remember singing that song too. Didn’t sing it at camp. Learned it in summerschool, and then taught myself how to play it on the piano. the 70s
Mel said,
October 10, 2005 at 9:03 pm
Heard this song on my way to work this morning…haven’t heard this song in over 21 years. My cousin and I used to sing this song horseback riding. What great memories!