Early one morn to the market I walked
A bonnet to buy for my hair
I passed a bold wastrel who called for a coin
Of two I had, one I could spare
A charity thusly supplied was no sin
Though he'd likely just waste it on wine
Though no longer could I my bonnet afford
A ribbon would do just as fine.
Chorus:
Who serve the soldiers who serve all the rest?
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some, and some give all for thee.
Later a soldier who'd served at the war
Took refuge with us for the night
He entertained all with his tales of the front
He gained great esteem in my sight
His quick wit defied any pain in his eyes
His words held no hint of regret
He'd sacrificed much, and he'd sacrificed more,
His one fear that we would forget. CH
I offered the ribbon I'd purchased that day,
Told him my favor he'd won,
He said, "Good my lady, your kindness endures,
Of greater gifts, I have known none.
For I was the veteran who called for the coin,
And though I must leave with the dawn,
Please let your fine ribbon remind you of me,
Thus shall I ever live on." CH
He left the next morn, and too soon I learned
That he'd met his end on the field
Defending his captain, my bold soldier fell,
In honor was borne on his shield
Each morning I rise and remember his words
And all he so willingly gave
That fine yellow ribbon I braid in my hair,
And another doth lie on his grave.
Remember the soldiers who serve all the rest
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some and some give all for thee.
Let us serve the soldiers who serve all the rest
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some and some give all for thee.
They've all given some and one gave all for me.
A bonnet to buy for my hair
I passed a bold wastrel who called for a coin
Of two I had, one I could spare
A charity thusly supplied was no sin
Though he'd likely just waste it on wine
Though no longer could I my bonnet afford
A ribbon would do just as fine.
Chorus:
Who serve the soldiers who serve all the rest?
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some, and some give all for thee.
Later a soldier who'd served at the war
Took refuge with us for the night
He entertained all with his tales of the front
He gained great esteem in my sight
His quick wit defied any pain in his eyes
His words held no hint of regret
He'd sacrificed much, and he'd sacrificed more,
His one fear that we would forget. CH
I offered the ribbon I'd purchased that day,
Told him my favor he'd won,
He said, "Good my lady, your kindness endures,
Of greater gifts, I have known none.
For I was the veteran who called for the coin,
And though I must leave with the dawn,
Please let your fine ribbon remind you of me,
Thus shall I ever live on." CH
He left the next morn, and too soon I learned
That he'd met his end on the field
Defending his captain, my bold soldier fell,
In honor was borne on his shield
Each morning I rise and remember his words
And all he so willingly gave
That fine yellow ribbon I braid in my hair,
And another doth lie on his grave.
Remember the soldiers who serve all the rest
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some and some give all for thee.
Let us serve the soldiers who serve all the rest
The few and the brave and the best of the best
In duty and honor and humility
They've all given some and some give all for thee.
They've all given some and one gave all for me.