I ran to my window
When I heard his steps
And watched him wander away
He whistled a sweet gentle tune
When War summoned him that day
We read his letters
Then laughed at his jokes
As he penned his tales of the world
He saw pyramids and lions in winter
And monkeys with tails that curled
But the nights seemed to get longer
Whilst the days started to drag
As we hid from enemy flyers
Everyday would always be the same
Waking to bricks and smoking fires
Then one day in the summer
My father finally came home
All motionless and very still
They said be thankful he's back
As his coffin rolled over the hill
He was a fine man a courageous man
A man who stood up strong
Said his sergeant with the minimum of fuss
But I know he died unhappy
Cause he didn't serve with us