Charles War is a science With rules to be applied Which good soldiers appreciate Recall and recapitulate Before they go to decimate The other side
(spoken) now, gentlemen, this is the plan for tomorrow's skirmish
The army of the enemy is stationed on the hill So we've got to bring them down here, and this is How we will Our men in the ravine (that's this area in green) Will move across the valley where they plainly Can be seen And the enemy (in blue) will undoubtedly pursue For that's what you depend upon an enemy to do
Then to guarantee their folly We'll bring bowmen into play Who will fire just one volley And retire to point "a" And then, and then And gentlemen, and then....
Pippin And then the men go marching out into the fray Conquering the enemy and carrying the day Hark! the blood is pounding in our ears Jubilations! we can hear a grateful nation's Cheers!
Charles Pippin, sit down immediately!
Now, where was I? ah, yes....
War is a science A breeding ground for brains For though I cannot write my name The men whose pens have brought them fame Write endless paragraphs explaining My campaigns
Now when the foe see our soldiers marching Through the lea They will mount a charge and meet us at the point I've labeled "b" And their bowmen on the hill (in yellow on the map) Will leave their posts to join the rest and fall Into our trap Then we'll cut off reinforcements and retreat of Any kind Bearing principles of enfilade and defilade in mind.
And if all the ploys we pick to really Work to bring to pass occur We won't just have a victory We'll have ourselves a massacre
And then, and then And gentlemen, and then....
Pippin And then the men go marching out into the fray Conquering the enemy and carrying the day Hark! the blood is pounding in our ears Jubilations! we can hear a grateful nation's....
Charles Pippin....!
In conclusion gentlemen....
Now listen to me closely I'll endeavor to explain What separates a charlatan from a charlemagne A rule confessed by generals illustrious and various Though pompous as a pompey or daring as a darius A simple rule that every good man knows by heart It's smarter to be lucky than it's lucky to be smart
And if the fates feel frivolous And all our plans they smother Well suppose this war does shrivel us There'll always be another!
And then....
All And then....
Charles And gentlemen, and then.... (spoken) now... gentlemen... now!
Soldiers And then the men go marching out into the fray Conquering the enemy and carrying the day Hark! the blood is pounding in our ears Jubilations! We can hear a grateful nation's cheers!