In Remembrance - "The Winners"

We stand one with the man that died;

Whatever the goal, we have these beside.

Living or dead, we are comrades all--

Our battles are won by the men that fall.

He died quick with his face to the foe,

In the heart of a friend must needs die slow.

Over his grave shall be heard the call--

The battle is won by the men that fall.

For a dead man leaves you a work to do;

Your heart's so full that you fight like two.

And the dead man's aim is the best of all--

The battle is won by the men that fall.

Oh, lads, dear lads, who were loyal and true,

The worst of the fight was borne by you;

So the word shall go to the cottage and hall--

Our battles are won by the men that fall.

When peace dawns over the countryside

Our thanks, shall be to the lads that died;

Oh, quiet hearts, can they hear us tell

How peace was won by the men that fell?

                                     Author Unknown

Published in the Lisburn Standard 31 Aug 1917 and available on Eddies Extracts
Image: A painting in oils by Niki Gulley