The Retreat
Elton John
Too Low For Zero (1983)

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

They laid beneath the pine trees with their caps over their
eyes
They were drunk with home and mama as they brushed away the
flies
In an instant before the sunrise they had gunned the rebels
down
As their flags were torn at half mast in the ruins of the
town

There were white sails on the water for the crippled on the
beach
There was a lack of ammunition so the cause was incomplete
When the bugle blew at breakfast and they knew their ships were
in
Signs of grand assurance were carried on the wind

Take it home, take it low, take responsibilities
Came the message from the front
For the captains, captains quarters must retreat
Pack the compass, pack the tents, take the bunks

They just chalked it down in history but they kept their
uniforms
They put their medals on the sideboards and they went back to their
farms
For it was just a mere reminder that they stood beside the
best
That God had saved the chosen few and the devil took the rest

On the planes above the rock face where the sculptured eagles
swoop
There's a haunted yell for action among the spectres of his
troops
It was silent on the coastline as the crazy angels danced