willie you were just a child

when you walked across that no mans land july
first 1916 herbie your brother by your side
bayonets fixed but what the fuck were you doing there

why werent you scything grass or walking cattle to the market
why werent you linking a girls arm along hill street
why werent you downing stout in a newry bar why

werent you shouting this is not my war why didnt i
take you in my arms before you died and say
grandda now i know what demons drove you to the drink

URL: www.mourne.org/willie.htm


Royal Irish Rifles in the Trenches, WWI