Born in the plains. a farmer's sons and brothers the same. raised on promises. we'd stay that way. as boys we believed. summers at the sea. we were free to become men of good will. side by side. chorus: we were children then. footprints in the sand. and where the ocean bends. we made our promises. he knows. duty soon called. 1943 we enrolled. together we would be. our families pride. second chorus: we were soldiers then. our bodies in the sand. and like that sand thru our hands. go our grandest plans. and just to see your face for one moment. i'd cross the ocean again. the end is not the end. i'll be by your side. on the other side. third chorus: thru the cloud of death. we find our way back home. and though i hold your hand. all must go alone. and when you see the face of our maker. you don't have to be ashamed. he knows the promises we made. i'll be by your side. on the other side.