And now, readers, get ready to read the heart-rending story of a young chap
And whilst you do so, keep a hanky on your lap
For the story that I shall relate is both gripping and sad
And is based on the hard realm of facts, so don’t think it’s a fad…
And whilst you browse over it, the facts will make you cry
And in a few moments you’ll wonder if your hanky had been dry.
In a certain city, there was a poor man
Who, of the great heroes of the land, was a very ardent fan
To widen his knowledge further, he mixed with one and all
And to support his wife, who was a veritable doll
He did strive hard, and labored till his bones ached
But to do his duty, he did not bother that he was by the sun being baked
Or frozen by winter’s chilly hands, until he was as cold as an iced cake
But the peace in the country did not last for very long
And so he too joined the vast throng
Of the brave, who were forever at their country’s beck and call
And were ready to do anything to prevent its downfall.
Yes, he hearkened to his country’s call, and left his wife and child
And though, with grief, her insides were churning wild,
She maintained her self control, in her usual, efficient way
And did not let her thoughts, on a gloomy path, stray.
And so, a farewell parting between the two took place
And they both did so with touching grace.
After he had departed to the front, he could not communicate with his beloved
Since he was illiterate, and so, his longings and desires, no actual purpose served
Now let me shift the scene of action to the battle-field
Where the chivalrous soldiers, had their fates sealed
The field was alive with the din of the war
And whether young or old, each one was ready for
Restoring peace to the country, and with this ideal each one fought on
Not caring whether it was evening or night, noon or dawn
Well, our brave young chap shared honours, along with the others
Whom, by now, he considered his brothers
None in that camp was determined as he was
Or played daily, right into Death’s frightful jaws
He soon rose from post to post
And sure enough the day came when he was at the leading post
With the gallant cry of the brave, he proceeded on,
And never did, he, the mask of pride, don
His mare charged forward, to left and right
None ever thought of the word ‘fright’
When suddenly, a gun shot boomed in our friend’s ears
And yet left him without any tears
Without heeding his wound, he carried right on
And did not let the orderlies, over him, fret or fawn
Well, the outcome of his trying to do one last brave exploit
i.e. to plant a hand grenade to blow up the enemy tanks
ensured its success – but oh, at what a price
for it led to his sudden demise
and though the people he had led suffered a major loss
the troops were grievous that they had also lost their boss
tears were shed, and wiped away in secret
for the flame that had enkindled the hope of their victory was now no more
he had sacrificed each and every thing he had, to the very last core.
A country is proud to bear sons such as these
Who never indulge in any ‘I’s’ and me’s
But showing reckless courage and great daring
On their shoulders, the robe of responsibility, wearing
Keep up the prestige and prosperity of their mother land
Whether they fight on sea, in air, or on the land