The Bells of Hermanville
D Day the 6th of June. 1944

Listen! Hear the Bells of Hermanville?
We who fought there, hear them still.

Across the years, our memories saved.
Of English men, who's lives they gave.
No song of lark, in war darkened sky.
In front of Caen, we all came to die.
In high golden corn, our wounded fell.
Then burned to death, for Freedoms Bell.

Pegasus bridge, came under fierce attack.
Our friends are dead, No! don't look back.
Listen? Is that the Freedom Bell we hear?
From across the sea, to drown our fear?.
For Mother Earth claims those that fall.
With soft Norman soil, to cover all.

For what lay ahead, fear gripped my soul.
The guns must be paid, a human toll.
Pounded in our Norman orchard here,
While men went mad, and died in fear.
Tell me? is that the call of Freedom Bell?
Or is it the harsh strident chimes of Hell?

On darkened, late, Mid-summers night.
With restless dreams, before dawns light.
Familiar faces gather, call my name.
Come! for Freedoms Bell, lets fight again!
Then into battle, with troubled dreams.
Watch men die, scream, curse, blaspheme.

For we, who are old, the guns still roar.
And long forgotten, young voices call.
Searching mortars, for humans seek.
To maim and kill, and wounding's wreak.
Hear the screams of men, in mortal pain?
Are those the Bells? That dread refrain?

Now Freedoms Bells, are muted, still.
Our hopes and dreams are not fulfilled.
We, still live the years of mighty deeds.
And grieve for our fallen, our wounded bleed.
Who will ring the Bell of Freedoms song?
When we are gone? When we are gone?

Brian Guy. Sapper. 246 Field Company, R. E.
Eighth Brigade "Monties Ironsides"
"Sword".