He was only nineteen, war never seen
Excited to join his mates
The money would help years lean
Mother wept for known fates

"Join the Army son, you'll have fun"

A brand new uniform, brass shining
Proud he was to serve his land
They were mates lives entwining
Rode their horses, this merry band

"Join the Army son, you'll have fun"

They boarded the troop ship
Horses packed hip to hip
When they docked they were shocked
Hot, sandy desert waiting, land locked

"Join the Army son, you'll have fun"

The carnage was never ending
He had only followed cattle, tending
The wind-whipped sand choked throats
Horses steadily running out of oats

Three of his mates caught bullets dead
At night he cried alone, lost he said
A bullet whizzed, gutted his belly
His sight was going, life like jelly

Mother, he called as she came
"Right here my son, you're not to blame"
Ghostly fingers stroked his face
They walked free at a slow pace

"Join the Army, you'll have fun"
Cut in half by an enemy gun