Morton Harvey — I Didnt Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier

Ten million soldiers to the war have gone Who may never return again Ten million mother's hearts must break For the ones who died in vain Head bowed down in sorrow In her lonely years I heard a mother murmur thru’ her tears: [Chorus] I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier I brought him up to be my pride and joy Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder To shoot some other mother's darling boy? Let nations arbitrate their future troubles It’s time to lay the sword and gun away There'd be no war today If mothers all would say "I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier." What victory can cheer a mother's heart When she looks at her blighted home? What victory can bring her back All she cared to call her own? Let each mother answer In the years to be "Remember that my boy belongs to me!" [Chorus] I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier I brought him up to be my pride and joy Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder To shoot some other mother's darling boy? Let nations arbitrate their future troubles It's time to lay the sword and gun away There'd be no war today If mothers all would say "I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier."