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Over the Top

from A Deserter's Tale by The Id

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11th December 1914, Artois France

Dearest Mum and Dad

Dreadful news, we attacked yesterday and dearest, dearest Bertie copped it from a Bosche shell.

It was horrible, men were cut down like September wheat by the machine guns. A shell burst in front of me and Bertie dropped. He is the first man I ever saw killed. His legs were gone and his body and face was peppered with shrapnel. The sight turned my stomach. I was sick and terrified but I didn't want to show how scared I was.

Everything around me looked and felt so exciting until I saw a battle take place.

I am distraught with sadness. I want to be home. Don't know what to do...

lyrics

Come on now lads, there'll be no time for fear
And you have to do your best

My heart beats faster as his words ring in my ears
A rolling volley in my chest

My trigger finger now is numb with cold
But not as numb
As my soul

All around me is the acrid scent of death
I can smell it in the air

Do I really have to take my final breath
Or will my life be spared

My trigger finger now is numb with cold
But not as numb
As my soul

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Help me please
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I'm on my knees

My body caked with mud, and tears stream down my face
Dear God, please, don't want to die

I never wanted to be in this awful place
I still don't know the reason why

Lord Kitchener, he said he wanted me
But I just want
To be free

Can't bear the thought of staying in this awful trench
Thick with vermin, lice and mud

But though I long to get away from this foul stench
Don't make me pay with my own blood

Lord Kitchener, he said he wanted me
But I just want
To be free

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I'm on my knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Help me please
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
I'm on my knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Help me please

I recall those words

I can see what's ahead of me
My destiny's now known

I can see what's ahead of me
My destiny's now known

I can see what's ahead of me
My destiny's now known

I can see what's ahead of me
My destiny's now known

It was never part of my life's plan
To take the life of any man
And all I really want to be
Is with my loving family
No, it was never part of my life's plan
To take the life of any man
Please God, I beg you hear my plea
I just want to be free

Please find my loved ones
And say I love them
They're where I want to be

And my darling Grace
I long to see her face
And hold her close to me

Oh for one embrace
In this wretched place cos
I don't know what will be but

Tell my Mum and Dad
It is here
That I'll find my destiny

credits

from A Deserter's Tale, released April 30, 2016

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The Id Maidstone, UK

The Id are a band who have never met.

We collaborate online as band members live in Canada, Norway, Japan and the U.K.

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