Poema de Autor desconhecido dedicado aos soldados Aliados mortos durante a Primeira Guerra Mundial nos Dardanelos, em cujas operações estiveram envolvidos navios mercantes portugueses dos Transportes Marítimos do Estado fretados a Inglaterra.
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
Author Unknown~
Don't Break This - Without Apology
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Thinking of all the
British, Australian, New Zealand & American Soldiers
I'm not breaking this one. If I get it a 1000 times, I'll forward it a 1000 times! Let us pray
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Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
Author Unknown~
Don't Break This - Without Apology
Thinking of all the
British, Australian, New Zealand & American Soldiers
I'm not breaking this one. If I get it a 1000 times, I'll forward it a 1000 times! Let us pray
O SOLDADO
Como acontecerá a nós todos um dia
O soldado apresentou-se perante Deus.
Naquele momento só desejou
Que os seus sapatos brilhassem tanto como os botões do uniforme
“Avança agora soldado
Como contigo deverei tratar?
Deste sempre a outra face?
Foste fiel e verdadeiro para com a Minha Igreja?!”
O soldado endireitou os ombros e disse,
“Não senhor, julgo que não.
Porque aqueles que como nós andam armados,
Não podem sempre ser santos.
Em muitos Domingos eu trabalhei,
E o meu falar foi às vezes rude,
E noutras fui violento,
Porque o mundo é imensamente duro.
Mas nunca tirei um tostão.
Para além do que me era devido...
Embora a dobrar tenha trabalhado,
Quando as contas não paravam de aumentar.
E nunca ajuda pedi,
Mesmo quando às vezes de medo tremia,
Ou outras, oh Deus perdoa-me ,
Quando chorei lágrimas como uma criança.
Sei que não mereço um lugar,
Entre as gentes que aqui estão.
Eles nunca me quiseram por perto,
Excepto para os confortar.
Se para mim aqui tendes um lugar, Senhor,
Não terá que ser assim tão especial,
Como também nunca o foram nem as minhas esperanças nem o que possuí,
Mas se o não tiverdes, eu compreenderei.”
Fez-se o silêncio a toda a volta do trono,
Passeio frequente dos santos.
Enquanto o soldado serenamente aguardava
Pelo julgamento do seu Deus
Avança agora e aproxima-te, soldado.
Carregaste dignamente os teus fardos
Passeia em paz pelos jardins celestiais,
Que o teu tempo no Inferno acabou”
Tradução de Cte Carlos Wandscheneider Mesquita