BOY INTO A MAN

I were but 16 years old
When the first World War broke out
“Join up and support your Country” we were told
Even though we didn’t understand what war was about

So I went along and joined up
To make my Mother and Farther proud
That day I turned into a grown up
And joined the Army Crowd

Those final Goodbyes made grown men cry
As into the ships, farther, brother, son did descend
And nobody knew if they would live or die
As over the sea to foreign lands we went

We could hear the noise of the battle grow near
As the cry went out to get in the landing vessels
And in those tin cans that were filled with fear
We jumped out and were met by a barrage of bullets
I ran with my heart in my mouth
As men that a knew dropped dead at my feet
And the explosions came from East, West, North and south
But us English just wouldn’t be beat

We pushed on right up the beach
And onto the land and villages beyond
We attacked anything and anybody within reach
And country our blessings with every day that dawned