| Translated by Roman Kostovski |
THE PAPER SOLDIER | PAPER SOLDIER |
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Once there lived a soldier-boy, | There was a soldier on this earth |
quite brave, one can’t be braver, | Who could not be much bolder |
but he was merely a toy | But he was a toy for child’s mirth |
for he was made of paper. | For he was a paper soldier |
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He wished to alter everything, | To change the world that was his dream |
and be the whole world’s helper, | So that joy for all would solder |
but he was puppet on a string, | But he hung above from a feeble string |
a soldier made of paper. | For he was a paper soldier |
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He’d bravely go through fire and smoke, | For you he’d battle smoke and flames |
he’d die for you. No vapour. | Anytime he’d face the smolder |
But he was just a laughing-stock, | But you thought of him as just a game |
a soldier made of paper. | For he was a paper soldier. |
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You would mistrust him and deny | You would not trust him with a dime |
your secrets and your favour. | With the pain that lade your shoulders |
Why should you do it, really, why? | I ask you, “why?” and you reply, |
‘cause he was made of paper. | “Cause he is a paper soldier.” |
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He dreads the fire? Not at all! | “To the flames? Hell! If you must!” |
One day he cut a caper | Then he took a brave step forward |
and died for nothing; after all, | And he burned himself to soot and dust |
he was a piece of was paper. | For he was a paper soldier. |