He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast
And he sat around with his buddies telling stories of the past,
Of a war that he had fought in; and, the deeds that he had done
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke
All his buddies listened, for they knew where-of he spoke
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Nick has passed away
And the world's a little poorer, for a sailor died today.

No, he won’t be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary ... and very quiet sort of life,
He held a job, and raised a family ... quietly going on his way; 
And the world won’t note his passing; 'tho a sailor died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great,
Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a sailor goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land 
Some politician broken promise and cons his fellow man?  
Or the ordinary fellow who in times of war and strife 
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

The politician' s stipend and the style in which he lives 
Are sometimes disproportionate to the services he gives, 
While the ordinary sailor, who offered up his all, 
Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.

Its so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago
That our Nick’s and Jim' s and Johnny's went to battle for one and all
But we know it was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, 
Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand
Would you really want some politician with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier/sailor who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common sailor and his ranks are growing thin
But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the serviceman’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, 
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.  
Perhaps a simple headline in the paper that might say:
OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SAILOR DIED TODAY.