Lyrics

[Verse 1] I didn't raise my son to be a soldier I raised him up to be my pride and joy Why should he put a musket to his shoulder To kill another mother's darling boy? Why should he fight in someone else's quarrel? It's time to throw the sword and gun away There would be no war today if the nations all would say No I didn't raise my son to be a soldier [Verse 2] I didn't raise my son to be a soldier To go fighting in some far-off foreign land He may get killed before he's any older For a cause that he will never undеrstand Why should he fight another rich man's battles Whilе they stay home and wile their time away? Let those with most to lose fight each other if they choose For I didn't raise my son to be a soldier [Verse 3] I didn't raise my son to be a soldier To go fighting heathens round the horn If God required to prove that boys were bolder They'd have uniforms and swords when they were born Why should we have wars about religion When Jesus came to teach us not to kill Do Zulus and Hindus not have the right to choose? For I didn't raise my son to be a soldier [Verse 4] I didn't raise my son to be a soldier I raised him up to be a gentle man To find a sweet young girl and love and hold her Bring me some grandchildren when they can Why can't we decide that the empire Is just as large as it requires to be? And I'd rather lose it all then to see my laddy fall For I didn't raise my son to be a soldier [Verse 5] I didn't raise my son to be a soldier I raised him up to be my pride and joy Why should he put a musket to his shoulder To kill another mother's darling boy? Why should he fight in someone else's quarrel? It's time to throw the sword and gun away There would be no war today if the nations all would say No I didn't raise my son to be a soldier