Ballads of Battle/Nocturnals: Tommy's Night Thoughts in the Trenches
NOCTURNALS
Tommy's Night Thoughts in the Trenches.
II wonder are there stupid warsIn any of them other stars?—Kaisers and Kings,And mix o' things,And all this mess?—Not 'alf, I guess,Not even in yon ruddy Mars.
IIAs I stamp my feet to keep them hot,When a' the trench is still,O, I wad gi'e a hell o' a lotFor the sight o' a Scottish hill,For the clasp o' a Scottish lassie's waist,And—weel—just to say a little tasteO' a guid auld Scottish gill!
IIILord of the Night, be near me now,Strength for my Heart, Shield for my Brow;And when Thy white Light returns again—Lord of the Day, be with me then.
IV7.55 A.M.A funny world—There's him,And me,Both thirstin', be it understood,To draw the other's bleedin' blood—And yet,I'd betA bob—and win it—That at this minute,Both he,And me,Are thirstin' most—to draw our dixie lidO' tea!
VSUMMING UP!When our wrath is expended,When the world war is ended,It seems like to meThat this old earth will beMore broken than mended.
VIBON VOYAGE!The sky is the sea,And ships are the clouds,And dead sailor menSwing into the shrouds—Heigh-ho! Some dayI shall sail far away!