I love the first verse but I am puzzled by the second. WWI was a waste of good lives if there ever was one. ...

Take heed from us you cannot see
our blood was spilt but not for thee
'twas for band and trumpet and ambitious men
We know this now what we didn't know then
twas for glory, pride, a nation's vanity,
a plague of violence, of mass insanity,
They asked this of us, who could say no?
When your leaders point, then you go
twas for these we lads trod and bled
twas for these we are counted among the dead.

If we could ask but one small favor
remind the world of life's true flavors
of love and kindness and compromise
of charity and hope and gentle eyes
and if your neighbor threatens thee
be slow to anger, and ask to see
what slight he feels, what offense
what facts he carries, what evidence
And ask your leaders who you would send
what cause have they to kill these men
and if the cause to kill is just
then die you may, but fight you must
but if the reaons ring loud and hollow
be brave my son and refuse to follow
do your duty, hold fast the door,
do not let loose the dogs of war.