Billy Smith

(RG) In Northern Ireland.

wrote the poem `Billy Smith` to show that you don’t have to have ambitions to be a hero to join the army. I lot of young soldiers like myself come from working class backgrounds , deprived areas with huge unemployment and crime rates , they just want some money to spend , a few beers and a girlfriend, a laugh and a joke with their mates. As time changes and thanks to the peace process in Northern Ireland they are now being posted to Iraq , Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Thank God for the Billy Smiths of this world.




Billy Smith was out of luck
Eighteen years old and sleeping rough
His Dad in prison his Mum a whore
Stealing car radios so he can score

At night he cried himself to sleep

In his cardboard box up a dingy street

Billy Smith woke up today
A dog-end for his breakfast ay?
Sat begging outside the railway station

A youth appeared who was serving his nation

On his head he wore a red beret
He strode down the road in an arrogant way

Billy Smith dispelled his fears

He limped of to the Army careers
Its two years now since he took the pen

And signed his way to Crossmaglen

A snipers bullet shot Billy dead

Straight through the red beret on his head

Now Billy lies back in his hometown

Only this time he is six foot down
To die like this to some a shock

But its better than dying in a cardboard box.



© Mack (RG )"Every day feels like the day of a funeral"