<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Farewell</h1><h1 align="" class="head">To Sergeant H. Fraser and L.-Sergeant G. M'Kay</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WELL, you have gone now, comrades,</p><p class="line">And I shall see no more</p><p class="line">The gallant friendly faces</p><p class="line">Framed in my dug-out door.</p><p class="line">I had no words to tell you</p><p class="line">The things I longed to say,</p><p class="line">But the company is empty</p><p class="line">Since you have gone away.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The company is filled now</p><p class="line">With faces strange to see,</p><p class="line">And scarce a man of the old men</p><p class="line">That lived and fought with me.</p><p class="line">I know the drafts are good men,</p><p class="line">I know they're doing well,</p><p class="line">But they're not the men I slept with</p><p class="line">Those nights at La Boiselle.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Oh, the old days of friendship</p><p class="line">We shall not see again,</p><p class="line">The bitter winter trenches</p><p class="line">And the marches in the rain.</p><p class="line">Bécourt, Authuille, Thiepval,</p><p class="line">Henancourt, Avelay,</p><p class="line">Their names are keys that open</p><p class="line">Remembered doors to me.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Doors that will open never</p><p class="line">Upon this tortured land.</p><p class="line">I shall not see you ever,</p><p class="line">Or take you by the hand.</p><p class="line">Only for ancient friendship,</p><p class="line">For all the times we knew,</p><p class="line">Maybe you will remember</p><p class="line">As I remember you.</p></div></body></html> · Great War