Fortunate Life from Rue Apollinaire by Alan Arthur

Fortunate Life

I’ve lead a fortunate life, safe from political harm,
When I was 21,
I was a carefree student in a modern democracy,
I did this cause my Dad is a Knight of The Legion of Honour,
At 21 he was a warrior in Nazi Europe’s night time skies.

What were you doing when you were 21,
Were you safe from total war’s strife?
How do we thank these people for that sacrifice
That gave us such a fortunate life?

It’s a fortunate life we have, we prosper in peace,
Could we have done what they did,
What was done on our behalf,
Some people have forgotten, some people have never known,
What it took to bring us to this fortunate life.

What were you doing when you were 21,
Were you safe from total war’s strife?
How do we thank these people for that sacrifice
That gave us such a fortunate life?

John flew Dad on Merlins to hell and back forty four times,
From 30,000 feet to hedge hopping, 627 with Pathfinder Force,
They got shot at every time they went to work,
So we can work in peace and good will,
Living a fortunate life, safe from total war – at Anzac we remember – Standing free and still

What were you doing when you were 21,
Were you safe from total war’s strife?
How do we thank these people for that sacrifice
That gave us such a fortunate life?

Be a good citizen is the thanks I want, said Dad,
Give to your community as much as you take out,
Look past your first world problems, help out and do your shout,
We own the responsibilities of fortunate life.

What were you doing when you were 21,
Were you safe from total war’s strife?
How do we thank these people for that sacrifice
That gave us such a fortunate life?

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