The General

Retired Army general
With a big mouth
At his beach house on Long Boat Key
Sits with his back to the beach break
With a headache
In his civies
Says once I was a soldier of steel and chrome
But they made me come back home

War does funny things to the thinking
He says drinking
On a Mai Thai
Pale eyes search the seaside for some meaning
Now he’s screaming
It’s a battle cry
Says once I was a soldier in a turret dome
But they made me come back home

Way up high I touched the sky on top a pile of bones
Then I came marching home
Now I’m your conquistador but there’s no rapport
With the old man of war

Unequaled kills in the jungle
I never grumbled
I was delighted
If justice were served I’d be promoted
I’d be a noble
I would be knighted
But so wanes the world’s supply of goodwill
For the man who’s trained to kill

The subtle difference
A thin line at best
You don’t mettle with machinery
With their medal on your chest
Good reason escapes you
When you’re a child
My life for your lifestyle
And you know the rest

Way up high I touched the sky on top a pile of bones
Then I came marching home
Now I’m your conquistador
But there’s no rapport
With the old man of war