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The original poem, by an
unknown writer, was found in the desert
during the battle of El Agheila, December 14th, 1942. It was quoted by
Field-Marshall Montgomery in his personal message to the 21st Army
Group before the attack on the Rhine, and reproduced in the English
Digest. It has been considerably altered by me in an attempt to take
the main message into the present time.)
Stay with me God. The night is dark,
The night is cold. My little spark
Of courage dies. The night is long,
Be with me God, and make me strong.
I love a game, I love a fight.
I hate the dark, I love the light,
I love my children, I love my wife,
I am no coward. I love life.
Life with its changes of mood and shade,
I want to live. I'm not afraid,
But me and mine are hard to part -
Oh, unknown God, Lift up my heart.
I'm but the son my mother bore,
A simple man and nothing more.
But - God of strength and gentleness,
Be pleased to make me nothing less.
Help me, Oh God, when death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear,
That when I die - if die I must -
My soul may triumph in the dust.
12/17/95 |
