Billy's Line

Billy came down from northern Scotland only yesterday
over land and under low cloud
year long winter grey
born in nineteen-seventy-seven
will die in ninety-five
a modern day statistic in collateral damage
Billy prays not to survive

a year and a day since he went away
now everybody look at me!
without a sound
he kissed the ground
Billy's line

hey! you!
God on my side watching you

and ever since a friend had told him
"Billy you're looking fine"
he'd sensed that a place in the human race
was looking more and more like a Right Divine

and not a million miles from Welwyn Garden City
his favourite melody
"radio world war three"

hey! you!
God on my side watching you

Billy walked down the full length of the hallway
and opened up the double doors
seven hundred miles to be united
Billy lie down
and join your family line