The song is about a veteran american soldier who abandons the US Army and leaves his wife and children behind to join the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War as part of the Saint Patrick's Battalion, confident he will return because he thinks he's such a bad ass. He is killed by the US Army at the Battle of Churubusco, where they ran out of bullets and started fighting with bayonets. Then after hearing the news back home, his wife kills their children and herself.
lyrics
As shots fly past his head, our story begins.
Death here or in prison for what they call treason.
Shocked as the blade went in through cloth, lungs, bone, and skin.
As blood pours out he says, "I guess this is the end"
He's no stranger to danger
No, he does this all the time
Didn't even say goodbye
But dig him up and there he lies
What shall we tell his men?
That he fought 'till the end?
Or how he died begging to be allowed to live?
He's no stranger to danger
No, he does this all the time
Didn't even say goodbye
But dig him up and there he lies
All across the floor she swept, and all into her arms they wept
Evil thoughts to her head crept, and its these thoughts that took them while they slept, dreaming.