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 traveling 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 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 pistol there