The Pride of Lions

The Pride of Lions

And my father was a Lion

And he went across the sea

To take the message to our brothers

That one day they would be free

 

We have no words to speak the memory

Of the good men that we lost

They never compromised our future

They never cared to count the cost

 

For one nation under heaven

And with tears in our eyes

We won’t forget the Lions’ memory

For our world they fought and died

 

And so they battled on the beaches

And they battled in the streets

They faced hell on earth in Europe

But their spirit never gave retreat

 

They never fought for king and country

They did not strive for glory vain

They died for us their unborn children

So that liberty would reign

 

For one nation under heaven

And with freedom burning bright

We must stand against all evil

We must fight and fight and fight

 

And so the Lions went to Asia

To the ‘Rising Sun’s back yard’

Fought in Burma and Malaysia

Hit the ‘samurai’ so hard

 

Though they were starved

And they were tortured

So severe was their test

Yet they still stood and fought like Lions

They gave democracy their best

 

For one nation under heaven

And one people under God

For the dreams of our tomorrows

Paid in full with Lions’ blood

 

What can we say of these our fathers

Or their stand that was so brave?

We must build a land that’s fit for heroes

From the ‘cradle to the grave’

 

And so they battled in the factories

And they battled in the halls

Took the battle to the poll booth

To tear down poverty’s bloody walls

 

For one nation under heaven

And with God upon our side

We can liberate the future

Give our children back their pride

 

And our God Himself a Lion

He died for you and He died for me 

Took His battle to Mount Calvary

So our spirits could be free

 

What can we say of this our hero

Or the sacrifice He gave?

He fought all hell’s unholy armies

Defeated Satan and the grave!

 

And now we are the ‘Pride of Lions’

And we are our fathers’ sons

We’ll keep a watch on your tomorrows

So you have no need of guns

 

For one nation under heaven

And a people truly free

We salute the Lions’ victory

The bravest men in history!

 

Copyright 1995 by Louis Littlefair

(‘They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

Laurence Binyon, “For the Fallen”)

 

Original Poetry