'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived
all alone
In a tumbled down shack made of plaster and
stone
I came down the chimney with presents and
cheer
And to see who was keeping a Christmas home
here
As I peered through the gloaming, no joy could
I see
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree
No stocking by mantel, just boots filled with
sand
And a wall hung with pictures of far distant
lands
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds
--
A sobering thought came into my mind
For this house was different, so darkened
and dreary
A marine's humble home, I could see that now
clearly
The marine lay asleep, lying silent, alone
Curled up on the floor in this hovel of stone.
The face was so gentle, the room so unclean
It was not how I pictured a US Marine
Was this figure the hero of whom I had read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized Americans I'd visit tonight
Owed their wealth to marines who were eager
to fight
Soon 'round America, children would play
And grownups rejoice on a bright Christmas
day.
They’d all enjoy riches throughout the year
Because of marines like the one lying here
I couldn't help wonder -- this man so alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from
home
Then this very thought brought a tear to my
eye
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
He woke to my weeping: I heard a rough voice
Saying, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my
choice.
Oh, I get my kicks, don't you worry 'bout
me
I got billions in war-toys, and the ammo is
free
"I travel the jungles, the deserts, and seas
And people all over are eager to please
But just to make sure, I -- like -- torture
a few
I treat 'em real special, you bet I do.
"Mostly the women, but sometimes men, too,
And they keep it real quiet, whatever I do.
No, I don't need family, kids, or a home
I'm happy when people just let me alone
"I'm trained for this job and I do it well:
I kill, ask no questions, the rest go to hell.
And when I get worried that I'll wind up dead
I get a new battery for this chip in my head."
The marine rolled over and drifted to sleep
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
Men died for our freedom and counted it cheap
Then we hired these wolves to look after our
sheep.
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