I first saw the coat in a old junk store
In a display about the first world war,
Mud stained bloody battered and torn
What tales could be told from the coat that was worn,
I bought that old thing and I took it home
And I tried it on when I was alone
I looked in the mirror I saw nineteen sixteen
The men that were there and what they had seen
For that battered coat I paid fifty pound
In the pocket lining an old note I found
From years gone by a long time dead
A note from a soldier this is what was read
If this note is found then I am no more
My name is Tommy bell I fought in the Great War
I saw hell on earth and man become beast
I heard the screaming from north south and east
I smelled the death and I felt the pain
A war to end wars never again!!
I saw fear in grown men's eyes
In the poisoned fields young boys died
Doing a duty they didn't understand,
Killing another over blood stained land
Questioned why kept them thoughts in my head
Who will have victory over the dead,
Whoever finds this note please tell my family
That I love them all for eternity
To my wife Maryanne You must be strong
For our first born my only son tom,
A time gone by from world war one
A soldiers words from the battle of Somme,
A war to end all wars that's what some would say
A note from a soldier on his last fatal day
Lest we forget they won't grow old
We will remember the brave and bold
Those who stepped forward to defend our land
To fight a war some understand
I learnt allot from that dirty old coat
And a soldiers farewell written on a note
For king and country The ultimate sacrifice
For future generations and our way of life!!