Afghanistan: Armed Forces poet accuses politicians of ‘hiding away’
Published: 12:45PM BST 17 Aug 2009
A British soldier serving in Afghanistan has accused politicians of “hiding away and out of danger” in a moving poem about the return of fallen troops to the UK. The poem, entitled Repatriation, is circulating among UK troops in Helmand province and has been posted on Facebook.
It details how an unnamed “hero”, who has died in combat, is flown back to Britain and driven through the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, where crowds turn out to pay their respects. One verse pointedly refers to the absence of Ministers from repatriation ceremonies.
It reads:
“Politicians usually have much to say
“No sign of them near here this day
“They hide away and out of danger
“Much easier if the hero is a stranger”
The author, Staff Sergeant Andy McFarlane, who is currently based at Camp Bastion, wrote an earlier poem called Sunset Vigil about the deaths of eight British soldiers in a 24-hour period. This is the full text of the new poem:
This is the full text of the new poem:
Repatriation – By Andy McFarlane
The leviathan of the sky does land
In England’s green and pleasant land
Its cargo more precious than gold
The body of a hero, bold
Once the giant’s engines stopped
The cargo ramp is gently dropped
Carried by six on shoulders true
The hero is saluted by the crew
The coffin draped in Union Jack
Is slowly carried out the back
Out of the dark and into light
Slowly down the ramp and to the right
The six approach the hearse all black
And place the hero gently in the back
The six then turn and march away
Their duty has been done this day
Politicians usually have much to say
No sign of them near here this day.
They hide away and out of danger
Much easier if the hero is a stranger
The hearse with its precious load
Moves slowly out onto the road
The floral tributes line the route
While comrades snap a smart salute
At the edge of a Wiltshire town
The cortege slows its pace right down
The streets are packed, many deep
Some throw flowers, most just weep
The crowd have come to say farewell
The church bell rings a low death knell
Regimental standards are lowered down
As the hero passed through the town
The cortege stops and silence reigns
The townsfolk feel the family’s pain.
The nations’ flag lowered to half mast
Our brave hero is home at last
Related posts:
- Armed forces bishop says sorry for praising Taliban
- Armed Forces heads Sir Jock Stirrup and Sir David Richards warn over Obama’s 2011 withdrawal
- Wootton Bassett: Islamic fundamentalists to press ahead with march as soldiers return
- Anger At March Plan As Fallen Pair Returned
- US special forces ‘ boost in Afghanistan: report
Tagged with: Afghanistan • British Army • Camp Bastion • England • Helmand Province • UK • Wiltshire • Wootton Bassett
Filed under: Afghanistan War
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why cant the politicians take thug who thing they a so tough and put them in the army wherethey can do more good instead of out in the streets creating havoc