I've
enjoyed a lot of roles in life
I've met a lot of men
I've done some things I'd like to think I wouldn't do again
And though I'm old enough
To know some day I'll die
And to think about what lies beyond
And beside whom I would lie
Perhaps it doesn't matter much:
Still if I had my choice
I'd want a grave 'mongst soldiers when
At last death quells my voice
I'm sick of the hypocrisy
Of lectures of the wise
I'll take the man with all the flaws
Who goes, though scared, and dies
The troops I knew were common men
They didn't want a war
They fought because their fathers and
Their fathers had before
They cursed and killed and wept-
God knows
They're easy to deride-But bury me with men like these:
They faced the guns and died
It's funny when you think of it
The way we got along
We'd come from different worlds
To live where none belongs
I didn't even like them all
I'm sure that they'd agree
Yet I would give my life for them
Some surely did for me
So bury me with soldiers, please
Though much maligned they be
Yes, bury me with soldiers, for
I miss their company
We'll not soon see their like again:
We've had our fill of war
But bury me with men like them
Till someone else does more