The Soldier stood before the Captain of the Guard
His comrades fought and died to keep our Nation free
The battlefield was marked by stains of blood from war
Now only memories follow those still left on shore.
Their graves are marked with epitaphs on marbled stone
And every year the tears still fall in silent groans
The Purple Heart was theirs, not ours to hold with pride
They are the heroes in the grave who fought and died!
The Captain of the Guard then spoke in accent clear:
"Where did you go when bugle called to face the foe?"
The soldier, trembling answered, that he ran away
He was afraid of fatal wounds or scars that day.
Just then there flashed across the Eastern sky, a Cross,
The scars of battle could be seen on hands and side
The Captain bore those wounds in love for you and me
So through His death enslaved mankind could be set free.
We are the soldiers that are called to fight the Foe
It is for each to use the Sword while here below
The question that disturbs and moves my heart by far
Is what we'll tell Him if we have no wound or scar!
B. Pent
