FALLEN IN ACTION

They said he had fallen, fallen from grace:
Deserted the line, without a trace
They said he was a Coward, deserving to die
We know he was ill, so you tell us why

Hed fought at Wipers, Mons and The Somme:
Won medals for bravery, slogged on and on:
Lost friends, lost a brother, but not once at all
Shirked from his duty, let courage stall

Then last night in a barrage, the Germans advanced
HE blocked their way, gave comrades a chance,
Ran back to the lines to call for some aid
So more senseless slaughter could be allayed

But he couldnt run, couldnt move, couldnt speak
When he saw his mate, blown to bits in a breach.
Should have been used to it? Been Prepared?
He was only nineteen no wonder hes scared

They say he ran, deserted his station
A total disgrace to battalion and nation
No trial was given, Shellshock dismissed
Though theyd never even tried to enlist

Theyll shoot him at dawn, itll say on his grave
Not mention the number of lives that he saved
But could they later, go to that place
And swear that hed fallen, fallen from grace?