A clown and a soldier he was

Farthest from the land, where dust never settles
I saw a bird fettered and caged
Deep into the sea, where bullets cannot reach
I saw a fish with a broken fin

Up on the battlefront where fear crosses thirst
I saw a soldier without his armour
and for every second of his life
he wishes not to be that caged bird
he wishes not to be that fish with a broken fin
but yearns for his boots and bullets to be on
until the war is done and the enemy is gone
and for the days left
he hung his boots and worked as a clown
jumping, winking and making that funny frown

for every smile he brings
a little joy he spread
and a heartfelt tear he shed
wounds which have healed but the pain that still stings
a knife he has, to free the bird
but none he has to fix the broken fin

the soldiers, his mates, whose souls have risen
to the mountains where seasons are driven
whisper the hymn of life
he chose not to listen, for luck saved him

the truth he confessed pleased the priest
blesses him and says "God awaits you in heaven"