Work-a-day Warriors/Verse Vindictive

by Joseph Lee

VERSE VINDICTIVE

3668 PRIVATE WILLIAM WARLEY TO KAISER WILHELM II

 

How d'ye like it, Bill?
How d'ye like it, Bill?
How does it seem on the losing side?
How does it pain you to pocket your pride?
Sure, it's a bitter pill—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

You'd got your mailed hand on one half of the map,
Like a thief with his paw in the till,
But John Bull's gripp'd your wrist,
And you'll open your fist—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

You would wallow around in the wealth o' the world,
Like a hog wi' its snout in the swill,
But we've upset your trough,
For you've sure had enough—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

You wanted a "place in the sun' was your plaint,
You could had it for us with a will;
We'll find you a place hotter far than the sun—
You are bound, my bold Wilhelm, for hell on the run—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

They do say that your hair is a-turning white,
And that you are looking ill—
Well, my pore mother is grey-haired too,
And I'm putting it down on account to you—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

Your hair is turned white; well, your hands are turned red
Wi' the blood ye ha' made men to spill;
I bayoneted one o' your blokes mysel'—
It was you that he cursed as his soul sped to hell!—
How d'ye like it, Bill?

And when you shall stand at the Lord's Judgment Scat,
And the great Court is all hushed and still,
And the Angel Recording shall point to your scroll,
And God shall look right thro' your poor puny soul—
How will ye like it, Bill?