Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Avatar: the Last Airbender. Do own the words that come from my head, though, so please don't steal 'em...
Note: Italics signal a chanted chorus. Picture hundreds of men on march, listening to the singer(s) and then belting out that one line of the chorus as loudly as possible...
The Soldier's March: A Song of the Fire Nation
Hidden tears behind still masks
Shadowed eyes, no questions asked;
Grief collides with duty.
Strong, we must be strong
No word of comfort, you must bear
no kindly touch, no pity; dare
drink deep, the bitter dregs of sorrow.
Strong, we must be strong
Compress the flame within your heart
Forge your will, predestined chart
this path that leads to glory!
Strong, you must be strong
Internalize the pain
live only for the Nation's gain
hide your feelings, learn to hate;
Strong, you must be strong
Bend your sorrow to your will
Learn from grief, this frightful skill
Stronger than all others!
Strong, we will be strong
The flames before them burning
reaching for the sky,
Watch, the ashes fleeing upwards;
watch, our pennants fly...
Strong, our Nation, strong!
Follows these precepts, learn them well
Follow your lord to glorious hell
This, your will creates...
Strong, we must be strong
Fight with single minded haste,
conserve your passion, let none to waste
on fools that flee before you!
Strong, we must be strong
They stand together comically,
grief only blinds them, they cannot see
the power it can wield...
Strong, you must be strong
They wear emotions on their sleeve,
Live and love, a barbaric creed,
Casting emotions needlessly...
Strong, you must be strong
Hide your tears behind our mask
Shadow your eyes, no questions asked;
Let not your grief collide with duty...
Strong, we will be strong
The flames are spreading, burning, writhing
We're conquering the sky!
Watch, the ashes fleeing upwards;
Our pennants proudly fly!
Be blinded by our flames!
Ahh, just a note...this is meant to be 'subtly' ironic, I was in a real mood when I wrote it. I'm not trying to endorse this particular brand of thinking by any means! It was initially supposed to be Zuko rebelling against his indoctrinated teachings, but warped into something more general, and yet...I liked it. (This might become a prologue for a short story, not sure about that though.) As always, advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!