So men are still at war in this land  For certain songs and certain dates  The tender gave way to the firebrand  And Europe gave way to the States    So now that money's all but scentless  Noses and consciences are clear  The pointless flowers can be dispensed with  To see a friend in tears    So our defeats are just reminders  Of death that waits behind it all  The body wilts before the mind does  Surprised to see how soon it falls    It's true our women have deceived us  All hunted species disappear  It's true we've shot the golden eagles  To see a friend in tears    It's true our cities are exhausted  Made by and for the middle aged  Our weakness gave them more than force did  We thought that love could cure a toothache    And in the underground we're drowning  Accelerating through the years  You think you'll find the truth by frowning  To see a friend in tears    It's true our mirrors don't show heroes  We lack the courage to be Jews  Without the elegance of Africa  With our youthful fireworks all defused    And all these men who are our brothers  Wonder why we don't want to hear  How their worst enemies are their lovers  To see a friend in tears