Did the People Sing

DID THE PEOPLE SING Did the people sing marching to the front Perhaps just in innocence and camaraderie Yet unsuspecting the same of their enemy It was not just singers who took the brunt Did the people sing when they lost the war No celebration song, nor any sad refrain All the voices could only express the pain Ready to dismiss what the battles were for Did the people sing once memory had died Maybe only the modern to displace the old For only the few that did return to the fold And even those lyrics were short on pride Did the people sing to the babies in arms Well, yes, but only songs of fantasy things The kind that a loving mother always sings That does not excite passions, only calms