One hundred years ago - br Mistrust and suspicion between nations - br Our respective governments decided - br They all had to be tough - stand up and fight - br To make a stand - nobody insulted us - br Our national pride - had to be defended - br At all costs. The politicians went to war - br By sittting behind desks while fast bullets flew. br br Lord Kitchener pointed from billboards - br 'Your King and Country needs you! ' he barked. br A neatly pressed uniform and trimmed moustache - br He was a man you could trust - a veteran - br Of wars against spear-throwing tribes. br But I suppose they needed educated - br In this superior English way of life. br br The young man - the lion - knee deep - br In a Paschendale quagmire. br He was stood up - like lines of tin cans on a wall - br Just to be knocked down. br Glory be, to die for King and Country. br General Haig - the donkey - br Sitting safe and sound behind battle lines - called br 'Oh poor chap, now give me a few thousand more - br And we may gain a few dozen yards of Belgian mud.' br br Millions - br Of working class young men - br British, French, Russian, Austrian, Italian, German, br American, Belgian, Hungarian - too many nations to list - br Sentenced to death - br By shelling each other. br br Yet I doubt they really hated each other. br In their respective countries - br They shared the same dreams - the same plight. br The treadmill of their daily grind - to save a few shillings - br To pay for a few of life's simple treats. br Torn from the prime of life - br Misused and abused- br To defend their politicans honour.