Literature
When Johnny Came Marching Home
When Johnny came marching home, we gave him a hearty welcome.
The men cheered
The boys shouted
The ladies, they all turned out.
The church bell pealed with joy.
Johnny was a hero
They laid a laurel wreath upon his brow
When Johnny came marching home.
There was a jubilee, then,
When Johnny came marching home.
But Johnny didn't always come marching home.
Sometimes, Johnny lay on his back in a ditch.
Sometimes, Johnny slept among the poppies.
Sometimes, Johnny was washed in the tide.
Sometimes, Johnny was embraced by the ground.
Instead of church bells, a bugle sounded, and rifles cracked out overhead.
There was no cheering.
There were tears.