10000 Maniacs The Latin One Lyrics

The Latin One Lyrics

[ lyrics: Wilfred Owen/music: J.C. Lombardo ]

bent double like old beggars in sacks 
knockkneed and cursing or coughing like hags 
men marched on sleeping some without boots 
fatigue drunken deaf still to the hoots 
of breaking gas shells 
dropping softly behind 
but limped on bloodshod 
all went lame all went blind 

gas gas quick boys fumbling helmets in time 
someone still screaming a man in fire or lime 
under a grey cloud dim dark through green light 
in all my dreaming before my helpless sight 
he plunges at me 
choking guttering drowning 
put in a wagon he had to keep pace 
as his eyes melt to his face 

if you could hear blood 
gurgling from ruptured lungs 
if you could witness 
vile sores on innocent tongues 
you would not tell me 
not with such pride and such zest 
the lies of history 
dulce et decorum est 
pro patria mori 
some desperate glory 
pro patria mori 
as witness disturbs the story 
pro patria mori 
stand firm boys breathe the glory