Standard (EADGBE)

They disembarked in 45,

And no-one spoke and no-one smiled

There were to many spaces in the line.

Gathered at the cenotaph

All agreed with the hand on heart,

To sheath the sacrificial knives.

 But now she stands upon Southampton dock

 With her handkerchief

 And her summer frock clings

 To her wet body in the rain.

In quiet desperation knuckles

White upon the slippery reins

 She bravely waves the boys goodbye again.

 Mm______.

And still the dark stain spreads between

 His shoulder blades.

A mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves.

And when the fight was over

 We spent what they had made.

 But in the bottom of our hearts

 We felt the final cut.