Pippin - War is a Science Lyrics

CHARLES
WAR IS A SCIENCE
WITH RULES TO BE APPLIED
WHICH GOOD SOLDIERS APPRECIATE
RECALL AND RECAPITULATE
BEFORE THEY GO TO DECIMATE THE OTHER SIDE

Now, gentlemen, this is the plan for tomorrow's skirmish.

THE ARMY OF THE ENEMY IS STATIONED ON THE HILL
SO WE'VE GOT TO GET THEM DOWN HERE, AND THIS IS HOW WE WILL
OUR MEN IN THE RAVINE (THAT'S THIS AREA IN GREEN)
WILL MOVE ACROSS THE VALLEY WHERE THEY PLAINLY CAN BE SEEN
AND THE ENEMY IN BLUE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PURSUE
FOR THAT'S WHAT YOU DEPEND UPON AN ENEMY TO DO

THEN TO GUARANTEE THEIR FOLLY
WE'LL BRING BOWMEN INTO PLAY
WHO WILL FIRE JUST ONE VOLLEY
AND RETIRE TO POINT "A".

AND THEN, AND THEN,
AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN...

PIPPIN
AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY
CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY
HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS
JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION'S
CHEERS!

CHARLES
Pippin, sit down immediately.

PIPPIN
I'm sorry, Father. I just got carried away.
(Pippin sits)


CHARLES
(Long, disapproving look at Pippin.)
Now where was I? Ah, yes..

WAR IS A SCIENCE
A BREEDING GROUD FOR BRAINS
FOR THOUGH I CANNOT WRITE MY NAME
THE MEN WHOSE PENS HAVE BROUGHT THEM FAME
WRITE ENDLESS PARAGRAPHS EXPLAINING
MY CAMPAIGNS.

NOW WHEN THE FOE SEE OUR SOLDIERS MARCHING THROUGH THE LEA
THEY WILL MOUNT A CHARGE AND MEET US A THE POINT I'VE LABELLED "B"
AND THEIR BOWMEN ON THE HILL (IN YELLOW ON THE MAP)
WILL LEAVE THEIR POSTS TO JOIN THE REST AND FALL INTO OUR TRAP
THEN WE'LL CUT OFF REINFORCEMENTS AND RETREAT OF ANY KING
BEARING PRINCIPLES OF ENFILADE AND DEFILADE IN MIND

-a