Tears by the firelight, he won't be home tonight

The Royal order reached him now to fight for the land

Eyes at the window-pane, staring through pouring rain

All the room is cold and grey, the fire burns bright



Every night there is no one beside

She's counting the hours, the memories burn

Day after day all her thoughts slip away

She waits for the one to return



Almost a year has gone, the battles are raging on

She has got no sign of life, no news at all

She wants to know his stand far in the foreign land

For King and Country he has left, the King's sleeping tight



Every night there is no one beside . . .



Tears by the firelight, he won't be home tonight

Sparks of hope begin to glow, the end of the war

Church-bells proclaim the peace, they welcome the returnees

"The victory is ours!" but she thinks, "What's mine?"



Every night there is no one beside . . .



Tears by the light, the fire burns down

Words black as grave's ground, seals red as blood

By the light, life's found an end

The parchment is still in her hand.