Soldiering On

I have felt the sun come burning, O'er the sands of Africa, I have climbed the steps, Marked by the hand of time. I have sailed along the river, The ancient river Nile, And have walked the route of soldiers Mile by mile. I have felt the tropic heat of Burma, The sweat of jungle war, And my lot was as the others, Can't complain. For we did because we had to, For the cause was in our hearts, For the cause was dear, For dear was Englands name. I have seen the light rising, O'er the battlefield, And the scorching sand, Mixed with the blood of men. And I vowed if there be Heaven, And if be looked upon, God give heart, This never comes again. I have existed in the trenches, I have felt the cold, cold, night, Inhaled the stench of hell, And felt such pain, I have soldiered through the ages, When will the answer be, For soldiers all as pawns, Will play the game. I have known the taste of victory, The comradeship of men, The closeness all as brothers to the end, And held the Cross of Valour, And have felt the touch of shame, For broken hearts they mourn for broken men. When in the end be counted, The mistakes of times gone by, Give tally to the losses on the way. For all who served our country. Be never far from mind, And Bless'ed be Upon Remembrance Day.