Southampton Dock

[Verse 1]

They disembarked in '45 and no-one spoke and no one smiled

There were too many spaces in the line

Gathered at the cenotaph

All agreed with hand on heart to sheathe the sacrificial knives

But now she stands upon Southampton dock

With her handkerchief, and her summer frock

Clings to her wet body in the rain

In quiet desperation

Knuckles white upon the slippery reins

She bravely waves the boys goodbye again

[Verse 2]

And still the dark stain spreads between their shoulder blades

A mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves

And when the fight was over

We spent what they had made, but

In the bottom of our hearts, we felt the final cut