When This Bloody War is Over

[Ciaran Byrne]

I've just read this book and it is great. This dispells the notion that I had that the soldiers of WWI didn't swear (certainly my great uncle never swore at home). Some of the songs are very funny, I laughed out loud at some of them, whos words had been changed to suit the soldiers surroundings.

It is only a tenner and is well worth it in my opinion.

[Guest inkhussar]

That **** Shute

The General inspecting in the trenches

Exclaimed with a horrifying shout,

'I refuse to command a Division

Which leaves its exceta about.'

But nobody took any notice

No one was prepared to refute,

That the presence of **** was congenial

Compared to the presence of Shute.

And certain responsible critics

Made haste to reply to his words

Observing that his Staff advisors

Consisted entirely of turds.

For **** may be shot at odd corners

And paper supplied there to suit,

But a **** would be shot without mourners

If somebody shot that **** Shute.

(ps - *** = sh*t)

...

It's a great book - not suprising that the chaps out there used a harsh language.

[Ciaran Byrne]

I reckon "Do your Balls Hang Low" is the funniets. I laughed out loud in the book shop when I read it...got some strange looks!

[Guest inkhussar]

...can you toss them over your shoulder

like a regimental soldier........

Remember singing that at CCF.

Ah the things people can come up with. Makes you glad to be human.

[paul guthrie]

Hope the folks from the language police aren't after you guys!

[andigger]

hmm after watching that Rainbow clip, I think I am prepared for the in-your-face language of the trenches.

Andy

[Fred van Woerkom]

Ink Hussar and Ciaran,

I remember reading somewhere a whole regiemtn lustily singing DO YOUR BALLS HANG LOW untiel they noticed that a staff officer's car was approaching. The only one who didn't notice the car, was an officer on horseback starting the second verse with gusto!

All the best,

Fred

[DrB]

Fred...I think that was Lynn Mcdonalds's "The Somme"

DrB

[Fred van Woerkom]

DrB,

No, it can't have been because I've never read that book. It is probably a well-known story.

All the best,

Fred

[mcfc1923]

DrB,

No, it can't have been because I've never read that book. It is probably a well-known story.

All the best,

Fred

Could it have been from 'the bantams by Sidney Allinson''?, i remember one piece from the book about a Lieutenant Cook who managed to enlist with the bantams even though he was only 16, he became a sergeant and awarded the DCM and gained a battlefield commission, despite all this he remained unaffected and had a democratic way with his men which horrified more haughty superiors superiors.

on one occasion a buxom barmaid overheard his men address him as 'sir', she remarked, 'your officers are very small' 'yes madam' he replied 'but we have big privates'.

jim