In the rattle of the battle <br />In the fog of fusillade <br />There's a comrade I'd have beside me <br />And no better friend was made. <br /> <br />He's a Gurkha from the Mountains <br />I'd have watch my left and right <br />And stalwart stand, kukri in hand <br />A Comrade day and night. <br /> <br />And when the battles over <br />You forget those bloody miles <br />And what sticks most is your courtly host <br />And those gentle Gurkha smiles. <br /> <br />And now I hear them marching <br />To the door of Number 10 <br />They've come to say, we saved your day <br />And you throw us away again. <br /> <br />Refused the right to Doctors <br />Refused the right to stay <br />They've been our friends, right to the ends <br />How can we serve 'em this way? <br /> <br />You can thank your Gods, whichever Gods <br />You choose, why even Kali <br />They politely ask, don't take you to task <br />Or shout 'Ayo Gurkhali! '* <br /> <br />In every little skirmish, <br />In every war that's been <br />He's been our mate, since early date <br />In Eighteen Seventeen. <br /> <br />And now it's time to show the world <br />To lead by some example <br />To show these friends before it ends <br />Our gratitude is ample. <br /> <br /> Copyright © Res JFB 12th September 2008 <br /> <br />*The Warcry of the Gurkhas: 'Ayo Gurkhali' = 'Here come the Gurkhas! ' <br /> <br />'Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gurkhali' = 'Hail Goddess Kali. The Gurkhas are upon you! ' <br /> <br />This was written in 2008 when I heard that an 87 year old winner of the Victoria Cross, Britains Highest Honour for Valour, RSM Tul Bahadur Pun VC, handed back his medals at the door of Number 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister, in protest at being denied medical treatment in a London hospital! This event caused an enormous backlash from the British Public backed by a vigorous campaign led by Joanna Lumley which did eventually win for Our Gurkha Comrades some of the concessions we, their old Comrades-in-Arms, believed they were entitled to.<br /><br />Res John Burman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/johnny-gurkha/
