Nancy Gray Poem by Francis Duggan

Only knew she never married dear kind hearted Nancy Gray
And never thought that she had children but that's not so one known to say
One who know her better than I say that Nancy had a son
But that he never came home to her when the battle had been won.

I've been told that her son David fought and died in world war 2
And that he was hailed as a hero he who told me swore 'twas true
And that his grief torn mother Nancy said he threw his life away
And that she'd march against warfarers till her own departure day.

Her son lost his life in battle and in tears poor Nancy paid
And she did not watch the victory celebrations when the troops went on parade
Her son David was a hero for the noble way he died
But she wished him alive and happy and in his death she saw no pride.

At anti war and nuclear protests brave old Nancy always there
She has known the grief that war bring and she has suffered her own share
And she has vowed to fight the war dogs long as life in her remain
They had caused her so much sorrow and from her son's death they did gain.

She must be well over ninety dear kind hearted Nancy Gray
And every time I chance to meet her she will wave and say good day
And often spoken at length to her but I've never heard her say
That her son died in the trenches fighting half a world away.

One who know her better than I told me of all she has been through
And of the son she loved and cherished who died back in world war 2
And every time I chance to meet her I don't see age or decay
Only see a living heroine dear kind hearted Nancy Gray