On the Line Songtext
von Johnny Cash

The enemy held a hill
And on the line was a shallow creek
Below and in the trees
Was the enemy across the water, ankle deep

In the water lay from both sides
Some face up and some face down
Men who tried to scale the ledge
And men who tried it down

The leader on the ledge yell, "Cease fire"
Then began to speak
"You can go ahead and kill me, enemy
But I′m takin' my wounded from the creek"

Then out stepped an officer from the trees
With a cease fire and also said
"Sir, come on down and I′ll also
Save my men who aren't yet dead"


The medics crawled from both sides
Finding live in a dozen and more
One took the arms, one took the legs
And they laid the wounded men on the shore

The smoke haunted silently on the line
While both sides adopted their men
Then both officers saluted and yelled
"Regroup, to begin the fight again"

When they all returned to their positions
The soft breeze cleared the sky
And someone muttered, "North, South or East or West
It's hell to have to die"

But neither officer shouted fire
The soldiers talked and sing
Rifles leaned against the trees
And from somewhere laughhter ring

For a long time a silence was on the line
′Til finally night was near
Then from the ledge a command was heard
And below voice said, "Men, did you hear?


Pack up your gear and men retreat
The other side retreating too"
We held them on the line
That′s the best that we can do