Soldiers

It was just after sunrise and down by the sea

down on the sand flats where nothing will grow

come drumming and footsteps like out of a dream

where the golden green waters come in.

Just nine lucky soldiers had come through the night

half of them wounded and barely alive

Just nine out of twenty was a-headed for home

with eleven sad stories to tell.

I remember quite clearly when I got out of bed

I said, "Oh, good morning. What a beautiful day."