For folk and fatherland

by Grant Gilbert AKA Slash   Aug 19, 2008


For folk and fatherland

They called us up to fight their war, their border war
To come up and do battle,"stand up straight my son and die like a man"
And they will proudly say it was for folk and fatherland

"Dont give up my son" is what they said
"Your countries future rests upon your head"
"Sir the guns are crashing, the enemy's at hand"
"Then you must fight like the devil my son, for folk and fatherland"

That was thirty years ago, so many teenage lives were lost
But we did battle for the Man, no matter what the cost
So don't worry as you lay there in your grave my son
You died proudly, for folk and fatherland

All these years are dead and gone and still I cannot see the reason why
So many battles fought and won and still so many mothers cry
Spoke just the other day to a mate with one leg and another with one hand
They said "never mind my friend we fought for folk and fatherland"

So we fought for folk and fatherland and now this question I must ask
Without a bullet fired and not a single drop of blood was shed
Why did they give away our fatherland for which so many bled?
The rainbow that we now possess, is not why we bled and died
For folk and fatherland

Grant

Please do not vote on this poem as i have posted it before although your comments are welcome I repeat do not vote on this poem

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  • 15 years ago

    by Courageous Dreamer

    We all have really strong opinions, and its always interesting to read what other people think about different topics. This one, is a really touchy topic. I liked how this wasn't really poem, but yet gave a really strong message that was worth reading. This poem really touches the reader. It's a sad poem, it really is, because this does happen in real life. It happens a lot, it's the one thing that happens during wars. Hmm, I really don't know what I'm supposed to say to this poem. It's just really interesting to read what your thoughts were. I don't think you need to change a poem that holds true thoughts. So well done. 5/5. I won't vote, but that would be what I would give you if I could.

  • 15 years ago

    by Ingrid

    Hello Grant,

    After I had read your post on the main board I became curious about this poem:)
    I too have strong feelings on the subject.
    There is a contradiction in terms when you look at the statement properly...they tell you to give your life for your country. A country is only that, when it has inhabitants, otherwise it would just be a piece of land and when they ask us to sacrifice our children, there will be none left to inhabit the place.
    I have just one son and I would never, ever allow him to give his life for something as meaningless as a war. All who can count to ten know we are being manipulated as puppets by the small group of most wealthy men on earth who even control the heads of state. It's all about the money and the spoils, our children are just cannonmeat ( I hope this word makes sense in your language, I don't know any other way to translate this)
    A very moving poem and you are absolutely right: keep on editing until you are completely satified:)

    *hugs*

    Ingrid

  • 15 years ago

    by Jim McMillen the man within

    Grant , It often seems to me that we end up in war because of the deceitfulness of our Politicians and only after the war is over do we find out what it was really all about.
    This is an exelent poem with strong statements that need to be said 5/5 for speaking your mind ...Jim

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