The soldiers of misfortune

(Ode to the Latvian Legion)

Somewhere in the lonely night an angry trumpet sounds

the smoke that filled the meeting rooms heads for the battlegrounds

They write their manifestos and fill them full of lies

the men who give the orders are never those who die

Let us pay our respects and express our regrets

to the soldiers of misfortune

they fell and died while the nation cried

and now they must fall again

The words that burn with passion have forged an iron will

to reach a goal by telling men they have a right to kill

The cause is always just, they say defend it with your pride

and know with every step you march that god is on your side

Let us pay our respects and express our regrets

to the soldiers of misfortune

they fell and died while the nation cried

and now they must fall again

Don’t listen to the other side that questions our commands

this is the only way to save our sacred fatherland

You never chose the flags that flew as you went into battle

they dressed you up in gray and brown and slaughtered you

like cattle

Let us pay our respects and express our regrets

to the soldiers of misfortune

they fell and died while the nation cried

and now they must fall again

The trumpets have been put aside the smoke has blown away

but broken hearts are bleeding still with little left to say

New judges and historians are handing out the blame

and those who fought for liberty are forced to hide in shame

You once were called to battle and asked to a sacrifice

now once again its you, my friend that pays the highest price

Let us pay our respects and express our regrets

to the soldiers of misfortune

they fell and died while the nation cried

and now they must fall again

(June 14, 2000)