When Will the War Be By?

“This year, neist year, sometime, never,”
A lanely lass, bringing hame the kye,
Pu’s at a floo’er wi’ a weary sigh,
An’ laich, laich, she is coontin’ ever
“This year, neist year, sometime, never,
When will the war be by?”

“Weel, wounded, missin’, deid,”
Is there nae news o’ oor lads ava?
Are they hale an’ fere that are hine awa’?
A lass raxed oot for the list, to read –
“Weel, wounded, missin’, deid “;
An’ the war was by for twa.

1916