Just an uncommon soldier

Just a Common Soldier

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast.

And he sat around the Legion

Telling stories of the past,

Of a war that he had fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies

They were heroes, every one.

Tho’ sometimes to his neighbours,

His tales became a joke,

All his Legion cuddies listened,

For they knew whereof he spoke,

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For old Bill has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer -

For a soldier died today.

He'll not be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary.

Quiet and uneventful life,

Held a job and raised a family.

Quietly going his own way;

And the world won't note his passing —

Though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state.

While thousands note their passing

And proclaim that they wore great

Papers tell their life stories from

The time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier

Goes unnoticed and unsung

Is the greatest contribution

To the welfare of our land,

A guy who breaks his promises

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who,

In times of war and strife

Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the

Style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate

To the service (hat h® gives,

While the ordinary soldier

Who offers up his all

Is paid off with a medal,

And perhaps a pension, small.

It’s so easy to forget them

For it was so long ago

That the "Old Bills*' of our country

Went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians^

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom

That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger

With your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician

With his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier

Who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and country

And would fight until the end?

He was Just a common soldier

And his ranks are growing thin.

But his presence should remind us

We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict

Then we find the soldiers' part

Is to clean up all the troubles

That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour

While he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage

At the ending of his days,

Perhaps just a simple headline

In a paper that would say

"Our Country Is In Mourning -

For a Soldier Died today.

ANON

I do not know the author, but this is well worth a rerun.