They saw the flags, it didn't look so bad They heard the news and how we could not lose And they sang with the marching band The sailors' wives with anxious eyes But it impressed them too They even cheered up as the ships pulled clear And though it was no-one's fault That men went off to war I saw a thousand faces all along the shore... The women were watching So no-one thought of turning back He didn't fight for his country's pride His life was sold cos it was better than the dole He even waved as they sent him away But something's changed - no this is not a game She held his hand and it was cold and damp She couldn't hide from the feelings inside Cos in the storm the night before She heard him calling... goodbye goodbye goodbye Won't you give me a smile I could be gone for a long long while And though it was no-one's fault That he had to go to war Among a thousand faces all along the shore A woman was watching He never thought of turning back