Where many the mother did grieve for her dead son
The heroes of long gone battles that were lost or won
They believed they were fighting for freedom and National pride
But was it for freedom that they fought and they died
For their sacrifices out of them heroes were made
And nowadays in their honour there's many a parade
And many young boys them wish to emulate
Dead heroes more heroes seem to create
The politicians and Government Ministers heap on them praise
Yet from the dead with their words them they cannot raise
For politicians a false show of Nationalistic pride
The nationalist and patriotic majority they must keep on side
Bands playing and patriotic speeches that and nothing more
For people who died years ago on a far shore.

Francis Duggan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dead-heroes-more-heroes/