Lunatic and Fire-Pistol

Oh, my stars that fall like ashen
Memories amidst the trees
Then burst like leper sunsets
On the shore

In English town my sweetheart weeps
And how I would prefer
To be counting sheep than fighting
In the war

Now lunatic and fire pistol deep into my brain
Once more into the breach, into the fray
Insane, I see the rough-house boys descend onto the green
The candle burns the hours that light the day

But now I am the undergrowth
And still I would prefer
To be leaving hell and travelling
Far away

In short, the village ignorants
Are plundering my town
It's a savage heart that beats them
On their way

So lunatic and fire your pistol deep into my brain
Once more into the breach, into the fray
Again I see the rough house-boys descend onto my green
The candle burns the hours that light the day

But safe in this uniform
In no other way
Cast out and destitute
Ridden once with violence
Now I decay

But long ago I had a friend, honey
And sound and fury was his game
With pure contempt for any picture, honey
Just dedication to the frame

No stomach for the fighting
No fear of cannon fire
So, lunatic, just fire your pistol there