Brothers Side By Side (A Soldier's Tale)

We were pinned down by the gun fire In that scorching desert heat, Outnumbered by the enemy Yet we swore we'd not retreat, We were cut off from our unit But we held that line alone, Until a sniper's bullet Felled my friend just like a stone. I held him in my arms As he lay dying in the sand, I cradled him against my chest And held his bloody hand, His frightened stare shall haunt me Till I join him in the grave, I tried my best to help him Yet his life I could not save. He breathed his last then closed his eyes And as he slipped away, I knew I'd lost my greatest friend Upon that wretched day, He'd fought with me until the last With honour and with pride, Both comrades on the battlefield And brothers side by side.