A TALE OF THE SAND written by Robert D Mc Lean:

A TALE OF THE SAND
When you’re lying in sand and it’s burning hot,
And you dream of the things that you haven’t got,
And you know damned well you’re in a tough spot,
But you smile and maybe you curse a lot,
It takes guts.

When you’re watching the Hellish approaching Hun
And your ammunition is nearly done,
And you know, my friend, you’ll never run,
You’ll use the bayonet ‘till the battle is won,
It takes guts.

When you’re watching your comrades dying like flies,
And the sun beats down from coppery skies,
And you know damned well you’ll never rise,
You’ll gladly die for the flag that flies,
It takes guts.

When you meet the foe and you haven’t a chance,
You obey the command and you start to advance,
Copy the old boys what they did in France,
Go to your death without backward glance,
It takes guts.

When your blood is drawing mosquito and fly,
And you know, my lad, you’re going to die,
With no one around to wish you goodbye,
‘Cept the wild hawk that wheels in the sky,
You’ve got guts.

You are real heroes all, each one of the crowd,
You’re fighting like fiends, you’ll never be cowed,
‘Though the sand where you lie maybe your shroud,
You’re the kind that makes Britain so proud,
You’ve got guts.