|
Artist: Pippin
Title: War is a Science
Submit by: Annie
Date: 04/03/2004
Hits: 23
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
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 GET 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.
PIPPIN
I'm sorry, Father. I just got carried away.
(Pippin sits)
CHARLES
(Long, disapproving look at Pippin.)
Now where was I? Ah, yes..
WAR IS A SCIENCE
A BREEDING GROUD 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 A THE POINT I'VE LABELLED "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 KING
BEARING PRINCIPLES OF ENFILADE AND DEFILADE IN MIND
AND IF THE PLOYS WE PICK TO REALLY
WORK TO BRING TO PASS OCCUR
WE WON'T HAVE JUST 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...!
PIPPIN
I'm sorry, Father. It won't happen again.
CHARLES
(Looks at PIPPIN and shakes his head)
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 GREAT MAN LEARNS 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...
Now...gentlemen...now!
SOLDIERS
(The SOLDIERS rise from the benches with swords in hand, and the music changes to a softshoe which the SOLDIERS proceed to do as they sing)
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!
|
