The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #86668   Message #1614157
Posted By: Barry T
26-Nov-05 - 12:38 PM
Thread Name: Question: The Brothers Four
Subject: ADD: Little Play Soldiers (Marty Cooper)
Thanks for the link and the track listings, Joe Offer! Their sales just went up by a couple.

There is a song from 'The Honey Wind Blows' album... 'Little Play Soldiers'... that was relevant when I first heard it, and is even more meaningful to me now. Though I suppose it was conceived as an anti-war song, it doesn't resonate with me for that reason. (I'm a retired career officer)

I have a photo of my son fast asleep in his bed with his toy rifle alongside. Now he's in the British Army carrying a real one, going nasty places, dealing with nasty situations. Two photos side by side... powerful images.

LITTLE PLAY SOLDIERS

Little play soldiers, their games are such fun
Each with his helmet and little toy gun
Pretending they're lying on the battlefield dead
After they're tucked away, safe in their bed.
Little play soldiers if only you knew
What kind of battles are waiting for you.

Quiet! Don't disturb all the innocence of youth
Tell them not to lie, but never tell them the truth
That men will fall and die, while little boys grow
But little play soldiers are too busy to know.
Little play soldiers if only you knew
What kind of battles are waiting for you.

Little white crosses, their rows are so long
How will it end if they don't know it's wrong
For little play soldiers will never know why
We love them and kiss them and send them to die.
Little play soldiers if only you knew
What kind of battles are waiting for you.

I know the Kingston Trio recorded this earlier than the Brothers Four. Can anyone supply the name of the composer? 'Would be nice to include an acknowledgement!