Once upon a time
in a village by the sea
lived a spry and happy girl,
little darlin’ Patti Lee.
In her garden she would play
quite imaginary games:
all her flowers sweetly sing,
and her trees do dance with rain.
She makes everyone so glad,
makes them very very glad.
In the cottage window sits,
watching her while she’s at play,
an old soldier who’s returned
from a war far far away.
In his mind he’s still at war
fighting battles fought before.
When he loses them again,
sleep does save him with a snore.
Patti Lee keeps at her play;
a flat rock becomes tea tray.
‘Cross the sea there still is war
where young men are dying for
causes that can save the world --
causes well worth dying for.
One young soldier’s in the front
thinking of his cottage yard
where his daughter is at play,
where rose petals are her cards.
Being gone is very hard,
O so very very hard.
This young soldier and his dad
people say are really mad,
fighting wars so far away
while a good life could be had
working in the village streets
as a constable, a cop,
keeping home fires glowing warm
as sweet Patti spins a top.
Patti Lee keeps at her play
all the while her dad’s away.
When he comes back safe and sound,
tales of war he will not tell
as he plays out in the yard
helping Patti build a well.
All the pain he suffered there
in a moment flees away
‘cos he sees in Patti’s eyes
the reward of all he’s paid --
Patti Lee can freely play,
she can freely freely play.
