[Verse 1]
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark
And whistled early with the lark

[Verse 2]
In winter trenches, cowed and glum
With crumps and lice and lack of rum
He put a bullet through his brain
And no one spoke of him again

[Verse 3]
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go

[Outro]