It took some time for wounds to heal
My hip's still not quite right
Released I was from duty then
I'd barely turned fifteen

My job at the pub was waiting still
And glad I was to have it
The basement's room was home to me
A retreat from worldly troubles

Things had changed, the young were gone
Was mostly old men drinking
Talk centred round the war
And how they'd do things different

They spoke of glory of 'their war'
And how they sent huns packing
They made fighting sound like fun
But somehow I knew different

I saw the face that is called war
And gazed in it's dead cold eyes
Even now sometimes at night
The memory still haunts me

Alone at night, my wireless
My only friend and companion
Affairs of war it informed me off
And how our boys were doing

It seemed those years just blended in
From one into another
The day came that changed the world
The enemy surrendered

The year was nineteen forty five
I'd barely turned nineteen
Lasting peace was promised us
A new world, young and free

Now they came to home and hearth
A hero's welcome there
Bands played and speeches made
And tears that flowed that day

Never before had George Street seen
The goings on that day
People dancing in the street
Their joy could not contain

In forty seven Bertram got sick
He was told he had the cancer
Oh, didn't I mention who Bertram was
He was the owner of the pub

Bertram like me had no-one else
No friend, no family relations
I said I'd help, I'd step in
But only till he's better

Nineteen forty eight it came
And with it brought excitement
We had built our own first car
The mighty FX Holden

Sparkling paint and gleaming chrome
It was such a beauty
Seven hundred and sixty pounds it cost
A price they said so reasonable

For two long years I ran the pub
While Bertram lay there dying
Came the day he passed away
My heart was gripped by sadness

Strict he'd been but always fair
No abuse cause of his station
Gruffness hid a kindly heart
To me he was like a father

Near eleven years this place been home
Was sad to think of leaving
Money I'd saved, for I spent naught
My needs had been quite modest

A solicitor came fore I could leave
To speak of matters legal
Bertram had left the pub to me
To be my home forever

His will spoke of many things
But one I'll always remember
I was the son he never had
And he loved me like a father

I cried that night, I don't know why
Whether I cried for him or me
I had lost my closest friend
And I'd barely turned twenty three

Now I looked with different eyes
This pub belonged to me
I would take good care of it
So proud would Bertram be