When the Tigers Broke Free

It was just before dawn

One miserable morning in black forty-four

When the forward commander was told to sit tight

When he asked that his men be withdrawn

And the Generals gave thanks

As the other ranks

Held back the enemy tanks for a while

And the Anzio bridgehead was held for the price

Of a few hundred ordinary lives

And kind old King George

Sent Mother a note

When he heard that Father was gone

It was, I recall, in the form of a scroll

With gold leaf and all

And I found it one day

In a drawer of old photographs

Hidden away

And my eyes still grow damp

To remember his Majesty

Signed with his own rubber stamp

It was dark all around

There was frost in the ground

When the Tigers broke free

And no one survived

From the Royal Fusiliers Company Z

They were all left behind

Most of them dead

The rest of them dying

And that's how the High Command

Took my daddy from me