A Soldier’s Farewell to His Son

I stand and watch you, little son, Your bosom’s rise and fall, An old rag dog beside your cheek, A gaily coloured ball. Your curly hair is ruffled as you Rest there fast asleep, And silently I tip-toe in To have one last long peep.

I come to say farewell to you, My little snowy son. And as I do I hope that you will Never slope a gun, Or hear dive-bombers and Their dreadful whining roar, Or see or feel their loads of death As overhead they soar.

I trust that you will never need To go abroad to fight, Or learn the awful lesson soon That might to some is right, Or see your cobbers blown to scraps Or die a lingering death, With vapours foul and filthy When the blood-flow chokes the breath.

I hope that you will never know The dangers of the sea. And that is why I leave you now To hold your liberty, To slay the demon War God I must leave you for a while In mother’s care – till stars again From peaceful heaven smile.

Your mother is your daddy now, To guard your little ways, Yet ever I’ll be thinking of you both In future days. I must give up your tender years, The joys I’ll sorely miss, My little man, farewell, so long, I leave you with a kiss.