World War 1 Remembered - Irene Stuart
WORLD WAR1 REMEMBERED
They stand in line looking neither left nor right
Young boys tall and straight going off to fight
Excited, nervous, never left home
Lived with family, never been alone
Never strayed far from village or town
Going off to war for King and Crown
Been given the King's Shilling, an honour they are told
A Pals battalion, strong and bold
They wait with baited breath as the crowds whoop and cheer
Give those Germans what for, there's nothing to fear
The drum major indicates let's strike up the band
Off to be soldiers in a foreign land
Don't worry lads you'll be home before long
It will be over by Christmas as they burst into song
Chests burst with pride as they march to the tune
Pack Up Your Troubles see you again soon
But behind the facade, there is anxiety
What war will bring is a mystery
What lies ahead nobody knows
Who will survive the onslaught from the foe
Who will die in battle, suffer in body and mind
Sacrifice their life for the future of mankind
If only they had known what lay ahead
700,000 would soon lie dead
Kitchener has declared, Your Country Needs You
The boys rallied to the call, let's show the Hun who's who
Comrades in arms they laugh and joke on route
Issued with rifles they have learned how to shoot