A remarkable anniversary.

Has it been over 25 years?
Babies of Vietnam soldiers
All grown up and going off to war.
Democracy sets an incredible ransom.
Gold is not the payment, only blood
For the wage of innocence is death.

Governments can flog peace to death,
Hoping treaties will last for years.
The bride price of freedom is blood
You can pay the debt with youthful soldiers.
Life is a sacrifice, made to pay that ransom
If only it could guarantee an end to war.

It's a futile wish to finally end all war.
As hopeless as praying for no more death,
Believing those before have paid full ransom
With tears widows have always cried for years.
Leaders demanding mothers birth soldiers
For wars can't be won without fresh blood.

An infant is born in a baptism of blood,
A warrior is wrought in a crucible of war,
So look at all those mighty tin soldiers,
Lined up in files, marching towards death.
We'll remember them in peaceful years,
Maybe even thank them for paying the ransom.

Didn't they say that they will pay no ransom
Even though each hostage bleeds a bucket of blood?
They rot and die in dank prisons for years
Earning, through suffering, the wages of war.
Their prayers wish for the release of death,
The battle cry of defeated soldiers.

Though our chests swell with pride for brave, youthful soldiers,
We resent the great forces that offer them into ransom,
To burn in an earthly hell that they may find paradise in death.
Why do nations revere ancient families and blood
Each time that they call for fuel for their war?
Honors given posthumously for their sacrifice down through the years

So again we send soldiers to pay the ransom
Out in death and sweat and in blood.
So what good will this war show us in 25 years?