At his graveside memorial the last post was played
And a very fine speech in his honour was made
By a famed army general who is known far and wide
For a brave old ex soldier who of old age had died.

But one fact was omitted of his heroic life
Of how from the pub he often came home drunk and battered his wife
She was a good woman and with her he now lay
We ought not speak ill of the dead many say.

In words your idea of a hero how would you define
Is it someone who in war puts his life on the line
In a far Land where too many young people died
In his fight for his beloved flag and his Nationalistic pride?

Your noble old hero with the deceased lay
And that he battered his wife with you does seem okay
Of those who have died let no ill be said
Since you only judge the living and your God judges the dead.

His children and grandchildren at his graveside
As well as mourners who had travelled from places far and wide
To honour a man who had once travelled far
For to fight for his flag in one more tragic war.

Francis Duggan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/your-noble-old-hero/