Put me in the limelight
That's where I love to be
While others do the suffering
I'm happy as can be.

Worship me as an idol
Applaud me to the skies,
Through blood sweat and tears
I'll offer you a prize.

I ask for exultation
Make me your little god
Give over foolish questions
To prove that I'm a fraud.

Oh over me with glory
Sons of a nation do
You know of my ambition
Though some may live to rue.

This world is just a circus
With me the little clown
Close your ears to reason
But bring to me renown.

Put me in the limelight
I'll make the drama good
Make me your little hero
With the angels seeming rude.

I'll don the sheep's clothing
With a leopard's heart within
Do any dirty action
If glory it should bring.

Believed to be about Winston Churchill,
written around Nov 1941.