The Smile

Lyrics

The story you’re about to hear is true
A man was shot down in action in ’42
In his cell he sat and waited for
The certain fate of soldiers who won’t talk
His trembling got stronger
When a guard came in with water and their eyes locked.
And all he could do

Was Smile
With all the strength that he could find
Smile
Reaching out across the lines
Hoping another soul
Just might
Recognize a smile

The guard came in an offered him a light
The soldier pulled out a faded black and white
The guard fixed on a boy just like his own
And it pierced his heart of stone
‘Cause a father now was standing
Where an enemy had stood moments ago
And all he could do

Was smile
With all the strength that he could find
Smile
Reaching out across the lines
Hoping another soul
Just might
Recognize a smile

The guard returned before the first of dawn
Tied the poor man’s hands and placed a blindfold on
They marched without a word into the woods
Where no one else could see
He turned the prisoner ’round
Pulled the blindfold down
and set him free
And all they could do

Was smile
With all the strength they could find
Smile
Reaching out across the lines
Knowing two souls of mankind
Had recognized a smile, had recognized a smile