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The order came from Xenophon: continue north from Babylon.

Through rugged hills and rivers deep,

to get to the land they seek.

Exhausted march the soldiers in to Kurdishland.

They could feel beneath their feet, the bones and blood-soaked sand.

Kurdishland…. Kurdishland

Cheirisophos is in front of us, he’s there to lead the line.

Xenophon riding horseback, is guarding from behind.

When they reached the mountains, the pass was occupied.

So they surmised a strategy before more soldiers died.

Kurdishland…. Kurdishland

Long days, hot beating sun.

Charon is waiting for us.

Dashed hopes, we can’t succumb.

March on, must never give up.

The Kurds were waiting for them, just as they had feared.

But, they surprised the enemy and then the road was cleared.

We need to reach Armenia, more parasangs to go,

Attrition killing more of us, who’s left we cannot know.

Exhaustion comes to all of us, no one can avoid,

Our foes who are anonymous, with weapons now deployed.

Kurdishland…. Kurdishland…Kurdishland….Kurdishland!