Classic Poem

SOLDIER-BOY , soldier-boy,
Now the war is done,
Are you not a happy lad
To see the world at one?
Home again—home again,
Living, in the sun!

‘Oh, the faces smiled on us
While the faces passed;
And the cannon hailed the flags
Waving from the mast.
It was good, it was good,—
Ah, too good to last.

‘Now the streets are still again,
Still enough to fret,
Though the hurts you do not see
May be aching yet,
What we gave, what we won,
Most of you forget.

‘For however much I pay
There is more to owe;
And I must be doing still,
And choose my yes and no!
But friend to me or enemy,—
Who wears aught to show?

‘Taking orders from myself
Leaves me many ways;
And there isn't much to choose
When a man obeys!
But a bullet keeps its word
When a kiss betrays.’

Soldier-boy, soldier-boy,
Tell me what you bring
From the wisdom of the war
Years and nations sing.
‘What is death? A bitter breath!
Life's the hardest thing.’