Lover's Lament - Lyrics, Chords, Origin and Recording

This song was written by James Hunter, who also performs this version of it. According to James, it is, "A song written about a woman, her lover and the futility of war. Initially I thought it was set in Scotland in 1916 but when it was finished I realised it applied to all conflicts anywhere in the world. Women are heroes and politicians the villains."

You can find out more about James Hunter here.

Listen to a recording of Lover's Lament

Chords

G				C7	G
You	once	said	you'd	stay	forever,
			C7		D
'Til	the	rivers	all	ran	dry
G			C7		G
'Til	the	mountains	turn	to	rubble
		C7					D7
You	would	not	leave	me	'til	we	die

Lyrics

You once said you'd stay forever

'Til the rivers all run dry

Til the mountains turn to rubble

You would not leave me 'til we die

Now you say that you are leaving

Does this flag mean more than me

Gone you say to fight for freedom

Leave me weeping after thee

Well men are fools and fools are plenty

Follow causes to their grave

While women weep for sons and lovers

Pray for souls they can not save

Since you've gone they've damned the river

Of the mountain quarries made

Me, I've gone and found another

In your place he's often laid

He is father to your children

Him they run to in the night

You are but a fading memory

Like that cause for which you fight

Well listen now you men of valour

Keep your women close at hand

Heed not the words of politicians

your not their thing to command

For patriotism a poor man's folly

Still they rally to the cause

They are blind they will not see now

It's poor men die in rich men's wars