searching the roofs for a sniper
death in the shadows he'll maim you
for a long forgotten cause
serving as numbers on dogtags
your girl has married your best friend
your flesh will always creep
the wounds that burn so deep
your mother sits on the edge of the world
w when the cameras start to roll
panoramic viewpoint resurrect the killing fold
your father drains another beer
he's one of the few that cares
crawling behind a saracen's hull from the safety of his living room chwair
and so as i patrol in the valley of the shadow of the tricolour
for i am but mortal and mortals can only die
pleading answers from the nameless faceless watchers
that stalk the carpeted corridors of whitehall
i in the guarded bureaucratic wombs
minister care for your children
order them not into damnation
to eliminate those who would trespass against you
the glory forever and ever
you're just another coffin on its way down the emerald aisle
when your children's stony glances mourn your death in a terrorist's smile
the bomber's arm placing fiery gifts on the supermarket shelves
alley sings with shrapnel detonate a temporary hell
from the dole queue to the regiment a profession in a flash
but remember monday signings when from door to door you dash
on the news a nation mourns you unknown soldier
for a second you'll be famous but labelled posthumous
peace on earth and mercy mild
mother brown has lost her child
just another forgotten son