It's burning in the afternoon.
The smell's so strong.
No chance to wait away.
Gold medallions for the proud men in kahki.
Battalions of strangers. Battalions of strangers.

No one wants to lead the way.
Be the first death of the day.
Leave his family behind.
It must all be in the minds of
Battalions of strangers. Battalions of strangers...
Battalions of strangers. Battalions of strangers...

The sound of guns has given way to children's cries.
The war has come home.
The black smoke and the hordes of flies.
Gold medallions for the citizens who stand and wait.
Battalions of strangers. Battalions of strangers...

No one wants to lead the way.
Be the first death of the day.
Leave his family behind.
It must all be in the minds of
Battalions of strangers...
...Battalions of strangers.

The voice of calm from Moscow to the Pentagon.
Sound the alarm, and try to back the better one.
Gold medallions for men who must negotiate.
Battalions of strangers... Battalions of strangers.
Battalions of strangers... Battalions of strangers.
...Out