It was just before dawn 
One miserable morning in black forty-four.
When the [bad word] 
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When he asked that his men be withdrawn.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 adorned.
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 [bad word] stamp.

It was dark all around.
There was frost in the ground
When the tigers broke free.
And no one survived 
From the Royal [bad word] C.
They were all left behind,
Most of them dead,
The rest of them dying.
And that's how the [bad word] Took my daddy from me.