“All in one lifetime,” said the man who wore the medals.
“All in one lifetime, to the moon from turning pedals.
From the mustard gas to SAMs, it’s been a rare old treat,
To see human degradation so complete."

"I was born in eighty four,
In a land of etiquette.
I was part of half the world,
And half the world were in our debt.
And there were those below me
Who rose up and took command,
And turned the British Empire
Into this single piece of land.

I was there, fourteen to eighteen,
We were making pretty bad,
In the trenches of salvation,
In the fields of Leningrad.
And there were those above me
Who would turn their backs and run
To a lifetime of redemption
For the deed that had been done.

I remember thirty five,
When the recession was alive.
And the Devil threw a party,
For the war would soon arrive.
And there were those who stood beside me
Who knew the fate of giving in,
And yet surrendered to depression
Of their country and their King."

“All in one lifetime,” said the man upon the bed.
“All in one lifetime, from my crib to my deathbed,
From the pox to HIV, I said it’s been a rare old treat,
To see the human race will not admit defeat.”