You keep calling me a hero
But that doesn't seem right.
Does a hero wake up screaming
Nearly every single night,
Body drenched in sweat
Mind icily chilled
From reliving memories of
Times he could've been killed.
No, I was just a squaddie who
Was there and did his best,
Who never ever stood out
From any of the rest,
Ever more daily grateful
For just being alive,
Wracked with pangs of guilt
For mates who didn't survive.
So don't call me a hero,
Don't make me so respected.
I just did my duty
Just did what was expected.
No, don't call me a hero
Because when you do
You impose on me standards
I just can't live up to.