Page:Soldier poets, songs of the fighting men, 1916.djvu/106

 E. F. WILKINSON, M.C.

Dad o' Mine

IDSUMMER-DAY, and the mad world a-fighting,

Fighting in holes, Dad o' Mine.

Nature's old spells are no longer delighting

Passion-filled souls, Dad o' Mine.

Vainly the birds in the branches are singing,

Vainly the sunshine its message is bringing,

Over the green-clad earth stark hate is flinging

Shadow for shine, Dad o' Mine,

Shadow for shine.

No one dare prophesy when comes an end to it,

End to the strife, Dad o' Mine.

When we can take joy and once again bend to it

What's left of life, Dad o' Mine.

Yet for one day we'll let all slip behind us,

So that your birthday, Dad, still may remind us

How strong yet supple the bonds are that bind us

Through shade and shine, Dad o' Mine,

Through shade and shine.

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