While The Billy BoilsSearchLook at his left lapel.See if he’s single-and-fit;See if he’s been through hell,See if he’s done his bit.
Look at him fair and square,Look at him up and down;Has he shouldered a warrior’s shareWhere the world is bruised and brown?Has he sweltered on Egypt’s sands?Has he seen Gallipoli grim?Has he buried with hasty hands,Billy and Bob and Jim?Did he hear in the far outbackThe bugle and side-drum taps?Did he hear in the cordite crackThe call of the gun-made gaps?If he fought and, in fighting, fell,Look at his left lapel!
That is the soldier’s sign,That is the mark of a man;A link of the battle-lineFirst when the fuss began.One who was in the ranksWhen the training camps were bushBack from the Jordan’s banks,Back from the Western Push.This is the battle-badge,His babes to be shall prize,Johnny and Mark and MadgeWhen the world has ceased its sighs.That sign shall the story tell —Look at his left lapel!
Battered and bronzed and browned,You are back from the work of war.A king of courage, uncrowned,A saviour of men — and more!You stiffened that hero-wallWhere the missiles of death were hurled;You saved from a ravisher’s thrallThe women far over the world.And while on the stay-at-home’s faceTheir glances burn like coals,Your limp is the gait of grace,You who have saved their souls,Each homaging bosom swellsAs they look at your left lapels!