Protocol

Who are these ones who would lead us now?

To the sound of a thousand guns

Who'd storm the gates of hell itself?

To the tune of a single drum

Where are the girls of the neighborhood bars?

Whose loves were lost at sea?

In the hills of France and on German soil

From Saigon to Wounded Knee

Who come from long lines of soldiers?

Whose duty was fulfilled?

In the words of a warrior's will

And protocol

Where are the boys in their coats of blue?

Who flew when their eyes were blind?

Was God in town for the Roman games?

Was he there when the deals were signed?

Who are the kings in their coats of mail?

Who road by the cross to die

Did they all go down into worthiness?

Is it wrong for a king to cry?

And who are these ones who would have us now

Whose presence in concealed

Whose nature is revealed

In a time bomb

Last of all you old sea dogs

Who travel after whale

You'd storm the gates of hell itself

For the taste of a mermaid's tail

Who come from long lines of skippers

Whose duty was fulfilled?

In the words of a warrior's will

And protocol