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Royal Flying Corpse

(Lyrics: G. Butt Music: G.Butt + A. Pinching)



On through the light

On beyond your helpless sight

All in the line of duty as silent as your life

You died in 1914

You’ll die again with these last words

The last time that your name was ever heard

Forgotten names they cough like hags

Like old beggars under sacks

On haunting flares we turned our backs

Cursing through the sludge

Men are marching some without boots

Fatigue and deafened to the hoots

Of gas shells dropping , trudging , coughing

The new recruits will trudge.

On through the light

On beyond your helpless sight

All in the line of duty as silent as your life

You died in 1914

You’ll die again with these last words

The last time that your name was ever heard

To join the Royal Flying Corps

To be dressed down with military cross

To be forgotten , a nameless corpse,

To be England’s hero.

This is not of glory , not of majesty

Not of power , not of memory.

This tragedy , this warning

Before once more you let them go.

On to the skies Victoria crosses in your eyes

For your country for the duty

Your name is cast aside

You died in 1917 , you’ll die again with 2 short words

The last time that your name was ever heard

On through the light

On beyond your helpless sight

All in the line of duty as silent as your life

You died in 1914

You’ll die again with these last words

The last time that your name was ever heard