FOR JOHNNY

This poem was published in 1941, and struck a deep chord with a British people who understood just what their young men were fighting and dying for, and why.

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For Johnny (The Battle of Britain)

Do not despair

For Johnny head in air;

He sleeps as sound

As Johnny under ground.

Fetch out no shroud

For Johnny in the cloud,

And keep your tears

For him in after years.

Better by far

For Johnny the bright star,

To keep your head,

And see his children fed.

John Pudney (1909-1977)

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