Firing Squad 1916

Another dawn moment Another dawn crime Another act of violence In a violent desperate time. The firing squad paraded On the killing ground Every rifle charged but One with a blank round. They carried out the victim Tied him to a chair Filled full of whiskey Just to get him there. As one the rifles fired On the officer’s shout And then the firing squad Marched off and fallen out. Through each mind A single thought was drilling Pleas God I had the blank So I didn't do this killing. No such hope for the officer Who, with strained white face, Had with single revolver shot Performed the Coup de Grace Another dawn moment Another dawn crime Another act of violence In a violent desperate time. No attempt at understanding No attempt at any care It should have been Kitchener Or Haigh tied to that chair It was said that one weapon carried a blank so that nobody was certain whether or not they had actually carried out the execution. Apparently towards the end, to stiffen morale, 5 or so officers faced the firing squad.