When death is closer than home..."It's a long way to Tipperary"

Each knew his fate... With the 11th of the 11th looming time to give this oldie an airing

"Its a long way to Tipperary..."

A single voice the silence pierced
to drift through cordite air,
to rise above the clouds of death
forlorn, tinged with despair.

"Its a long way to go..."

Along the trench more voices joined
a choir now on death row,
ironic that they sang of home
for their fate they all did know.

"Its a long way to Tipperary..."

Across the mire where no man lived
o'er blood and stench and gore,
their song fell onto enemy
and through each heart it tore.

"to the sweetest girl I know..."

They'd be no winners in this war
only those that better fared,
a whole generations blooming youth
wars horror brutally pared.

"goodbye Piccadily..."

The brave who sang that fateful day
brothers, fathers, uncles, sons,
would perish going "over the top"
Scythed down by chattering guns.

"Farewell Leicester square..."

Now fields abloom with blood red flowers
blue skies, and larks on high,
remember the wanton sacrifice
of those that came to fight and die.

"Its a long, long, way to Tipperary,
but my heart's right there"

Reviews

[Bonnie Paige]

WOW! Those words made me slowly see that story about men gathering together to fight and die. How true and how sad. A history lesson in a poem. Great work.

[Gee]

Thank you Bonnie. Have you ever listened to the song ?

[Bonnie Paige]

Yes I have. I loved on London many years ago. SW2

[Lin]

What you have done here is incredible! You painted a picture in my mind and broke my heart. I could see the soldiers marching and singing to their deaths. It’s such a sad and beautiful poem.

[Gee]

Thank you Lin. Are you aware that the song lyrics obviously ain't written by this half wit.??

[free-writer]

This is incredible. One of the best pieces of war poetry I have come across. I love this.Beautifully written and deeply moving language.

[Gee]

Thank you, glad you approve

[barleygirl]

I agree with Annette . . . chills here, too. This is the most brilliant thing I've ever read about war. I was almost dreading reading this, when I realized what it was about. I hate war, never watch movies or read books about it. But somehow you've drawn this heartfelt portrait with of ton of gore, while also keeping it artfully perfect. The exacting rhyme & rhythm reminds one of marching, almost with a lilt, as if defying odds. This is an amazing poem. I'm mind-blown! *BOOM!* (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Gee]

Hi Margie, I'm gobsmacked at your review. Thank you kindly.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This poem gave me the chills Gee. So deeply moving, the soldiers’ brave march to certain death...Beautiful language, form, flow, cadence, rhyme, musicality. The never- ending dirge. Imagery so skillfull-“Scythed down by chattering guns.”-brilliant. They die, we cry...”It’s a long, long way to Tipperary”-still. Kudos

[Gee]

Thank you Annette

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Real talent very touching and moving

[Gee]

Thanks Julie, an oldie but apt today

[Matthew Kult]

Respectfully Touching

Beautiful Write and Read

Matthew

[Gee]

Cheers Matthew

[John Alexander McFadyen]

as we approach Rememberance Sunday you have captured the misery, the pity, the senslessness and the horror of young men beeing forced to give their lives for no real good reason so well!

[Gee]

Thank you John..

[Doodley]

Brilliant, Gee.

You capture the finity of their last moments with gently superb words and rhyme. There was so much sacrifice during the Great War, and even today their stories of heroisim and laughter and song in the face of impending death are reverberating through our lives.

Another sadly poignant and timely write, Gee. For many did not make their way home to Tipperary.

Profound work.

[Gee]

Thanks Doodley. Imagine trying to prise the youth of today off their X boxes to lay down their lives.......

[Doodley]

Not much chance of that happening! They would sit in the trenches glued to their iphones methinks.

[Gee]

Lol........,