(Leon Rosselson)
William was a little boy
Was his parents' pride and joy
They loved him as only parents can
Teach him to be brave and strong
Teach him to know right from wrong
So he'd grow to be a fine man
William was as good as gold
Always did what he was told
Though he was just a child he understood
He knew that good boys never cried
Knew that good boys never lied
Knew that he must do the best he could
And so William always tried to be
A credit to the family
Always tried to hide his shameful fears
But sometimes when the light grew dim
Dreams and shadows frightened him
In his mother's arms he'd hide his tears
So father took the boy aside
Said, Son, there's nowhere you can hide
You won't win life's battles if you run
So face your fears, stand and fight
Dreams and shadows cannot bite
And I won't have a coward for a son
William's father told his wife
The boy must choose a path in life
An actor, William said, I'd like to be
His Dad said primly, He could do
Anything he wanted to
We'll love you still, said Ma, reproachfully
So when William saw the grief he caused
William turned and William paused
Couldn't hurt them after all they'd done
And so with everyone's consent
William joined the Regiment
See him with his uniform and gun
In distant France the final act
Begins when Will's patrol attacked
Cannons roar and terror chills the bone
Outnumbered by ten to one
All the soldiers turned to run
All except for William, turned to stone
He felt the old familiar fears
Heard his mother's grief and tears
Saw his father overcome with shame
And remembering what he's been taught
William stood, William fought
And died to save the family name
William for his gallantry
Received a posthumous VC
Ma and Pa are overcome with pride
And so we leave them there alone
Carve these words upon a stone
William lived for love, for love he died
William was a little boy
Was his parents' pride and joy
They loved him as only parents can
Teach him to be brave and strong
Teach him to know right from wrong
So he'd grow to be a fine man
(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)