Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman

Walking through the city, after recent rain

Heard ancient stones all shining, murmur, "

Where are they?" How long before next hero's day?

And the splendid show of drum and gun

Walking by the river, one September eve

Saw questions rise in circles, on that old dark stream

Where now are those who dared to dream?

They would leave one jewel in England's hand

Gone to sleep they lie in flowered graves

For the visitors and guidebooks sake

But come the trumpet shout at dawn

Will the spirit they shared be reborn?

Comrades in arms

May they rise, fight and shine again

To who comes then will be answered with friend again

Once there stood a man

A long sword in his hand

In the face of the teeth of flame

And it was all in England's name

I was told how she grew

She alone shone her light on everyone

And if you made the first eleven, then you'd be sure

To get to heaven like the captain of the school

I was taught how to win, and to lose

With a "Get you next time" smile

Learned Latin verbs in fear of a beating, and for years

Thought central heating was for just old people's homes

I was raised on the past

The Tower and St

Paul's and Westminster

Escorted well-bred girls to dances and learned to drive

A horse in harness through the English countryside

I was taught to behave like an officer and a gentleman

And when I finally marched from Sandhurst, I'd learned to

Put my fellow man first and there was daily talk of war

I spent 1938 in the United States of America

I grew to love its many faces and they had built some amazing places

And I thought they'd come in on our side

Girls, oh there were girls

But they were just part of the social world

And I never took much notice, until the night that I met you

Standing out there alone, out on the terrace under the moon

From the moment that I kissed you, my life turned into a dream

I knew I loved you at first sight

And that you love me

Was it really happening?

Or was it a dream?

I asked if you'd be mine, feeding the white doves by the Serpentine

And when you said forever, I know that I almost cried

You all in white

The tears and the laughing, nearly losing a dam ring

Yes, I do

Yes, I will

Keep you from harm

Those few short days we spent together, remembered forever

All the plans for the house and for the children

I know I loved you at first sight

And that you love me

Did it really happen then or was it a dream?

I knew when I saw your face, open the orders, the time and the place

Oh don't worry, it won't last long

And I won't be far away

I'll try to write every day

Got your letters out the front today

If you like the house we'll buy it straight away

Yes, it's great now

You're a full-time nurse

But do be careful with the air raids getting worse

Must end now

The push is on

We're moving out

Oh, my love

See you soon

I'm writing to you on a convoy moving West

It's hell out here but we're all trying to do our best

I learned today that I get two weeks leave in June

This time I promise you a real honeymoon

Must end now

Take care, my love

You're all the world to me, my love

See you soon

The telegram dropped from my hand

She was all I had

I just don't understand

I see her now in that white dress she wore

Those eyes and that smile, no one else nevermore

Decorations and respect inside the club

On compensation, when you lose the one you love

But in the end, all that is left is the regiment

And what it means to be an officer and a gentleman