The Padre assembled the Drum Head Service,
The stable yard the safest place.
We sat on the ground, ignoring the frost,
Listening bareheaded, showing true reverence.

The first hymn sung, no music of course,
The sermon followed, sensibly short,
The Padre was also feeling the cold,
And of course not a mention of God on our side.

“Now for the last hymn, suggestions please”
His hopeful smile, encouraging, almost pleading,
“ You surely have a favourite hymn,
Perhaps one from your Sunday school days”.

Then up stood a Guardsman fully six foot six,
Head shaved bare, and blue from the cold,
Saying “Please Padre, my favourite is—
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam”