60
WORK-A-DAY WARRIORS
They've lain and waited till the wire
Was cut and scattered by our shells,
Then waltzed into the German trench
As gay as Negro minster-els!
I've seen our Batt. go singing in
To what was well-nigh certain death;
I've seen 'em die, and heard 'em cheer
For Britain wi' their dying breath!
I've seen my matey standing by,
And asked him if a fag he'd got;
He hadn't even time to cry
When something took him—he was not!
I've seen a bloke shot thro' the head—
A bloke I ne'er heard swear afore—
He spun right round, and dropped down dead,
And wot he said was, "O you whore!"
I've seen me chargin' on the foe,
To prod him wi' my bayonet;
Then "Kamerad!"—and next I know
I'm handing him a cigarette!
