Billy’s Song

I had a leg, I had a leg

In days long gone by.

In those conflict days, I had a leg

But I was far too careless

With my legs I was too reckless

For I took my legs off to war.

No boat upon the water, nor in the air on wing

But on land for slaughter, fighting for the king.

Battle raged, smoke’s black drift

Bullets whined, shells rent and rift

I fought whole and frail that bloody day

Shrapnel flew; it tore my leg away.

I knew that peace has price, has cost.

Now I just say, my leg was lost.

Martin Delemare

1^st March 2009

Extract from "Marsh Quarter"