A Charge In The Dark
By O.C.A. CHILD.
Out of the trenches lively, lads!
Steady, steady there, number two!
Step like your feet were tiger's pads—
Crawl when crawling's the thing to do!
Column left, through the sunken road!
Keep in touch as you move by feel!
Empty rifles—no need to load—
Night work's close work, stick to steel!
Wait for shadows and watch the clouds,
When it's moonshine, down you go!
Quiet, quiet, as men in shrouds,
Cats a-prowl in the dark go slow.
Curse you, there, did you have to fall?
Damn your feet and your blind-bat eyes!
Caught in the open, caught—that's all!
Searchlights! slaughter—we meant surprise!
Shrapnel fire a bit too low—
Gets us though on the ricochet!
Open order and in we go,
Steel, cold steel, and we'll make 'em pay.
God above, not there to win?
Left, while my men go on to die!
Take them in, Sergeant, take them in!
Go on, fellows, good luck—good-bye!