The Unknown Soldier

anonymous

There's a grave right near the White House
Where the Unknown Soldier lies
And the flowers there are sprinkled
With the tears of mothers' eyes.

I stood there not so long ago
With roses for the grave
When suddenly I thought I heard
A voice speak from the grave.

I am the Unknown Soldier
The spirit voice began,
And I think I've got a right
To ask some questions, man to man.

Are my buddies taken care of?
Was their victory so sweet?
Is that big reward you promised,
Selling pencils in the street?

Did they really win the freedom
That they battled to achieve?
Do you still respect the Croix de Guerre
Above that empty sleeve?

Does the gold star in the window
Now mean anything at all?
I wonder how my old gal feels
When she hears the bugle call?

And that baby that sang
'Hello Central, give me to No Man's Land;'
Can they replace her daddy
With a military band?

I wonder if the profiteers
Have satisfied their greed?
I wonder if the soldier's mother
Ever is in need?

I wonder if the kings
Who planned it all are satisfied?
They played their game of checkers
And eleven million died!

Oh, I'd like to see their faces
When they reach the Devil's door,
But even down in Hell
There is no torture such as war.

I am the Unknown Soldier
And maybe I died in vain,
But if I were alive and my country called
I'd do it all over again.