The Men Behind the Guns Phil Ochs

[Verse 1]
Let's drink a toast to the admiral
And here's to the captain bold
And glory more for the commodore
When the deeds of might are told
They stand to the deck through the battle's wreck
When the great shells roar and pound
And never they fear when the foe is near
To lay their orders down
But off with your hats and three times three
For every sailor's son
For the men below who fight the foe
The men behind the guns
Oh, the men behind the guns

[Verse 2]
Their hearts a-pounding heavy
When they swing to port once more
With never enough of the greenback stuff
They start for the leave ashore
And you'd think perhaps the blue-blouse chaps
Had better clothes to wear
For the uniforms of officers
Could hardly be compared
Warriors bold with straps of gold
That dazzle like the sun
Outshine the common sailor boys
The lads who serve the guns
Oh, the men behind the guns