The Enchanted Poppy Boys

part 1

Fair freedom's call was truly heard

No consequence not undeterred

No wasted cause of youth would she endure

Her promise we had ever known

To rip the tyrants from their throne

And blessed were they with chance to make it sure

refrain

The poppy boys came

With joy at the choice, and thrill for the game

arm in arm and sure of aim

The enchanted poppy boys

part 2

But freedom had another face

she'd not be won with faith or grace

The truth would test the tears they could not bear

In scattered lines of liberty

Lay rank and file and destiny

The ruthless, righteous, order was their snare

refrain

The poppy boys fell

In a land that was green they turned into hell

For the sake of a dream their children could tell

The enchanted poppy boys

interlude

Now the histories all writ

and no-one's left 'was witness

tales and photographs remain, but all the boys have gone

Their harrowed hearts are still

But cannot be unbroken

Though the children of the children of their children sing their songs

part 3

Regard us now,

are we yet free

The lucky born at least may claim to be

What prize is this what glory won

What victory has history done

What chance did disenchantment disagree

refrain

The poppy boys paid

For the world to be free and all of us saved

But the count of the charge may never be made

For enchanted poppy boys

enchanted poppy boys