Vintage Audio - Oh! It's A Lovely War!
Reproduced below are the lyrics to the popular 1917 music hall ditty Oh! It's A Lovely War!, penned by J.P. Long and M. Scott.
Somewhat satirical it quickly established itself as a soldier's favourite. Two versions of the song are available here: the first is performed by Courtland and Jeffries in 1918; the second is rendered by the Jolly Old Fellows in 1930. Use the player above to listen to both versions.
Oh! It's a Lovely War!
Chorus
Oh, oh, oh it's a lovely war.
Who wouldn't be a soldier, eh? Oh it's a shame to take the pay.
As soon as reveille has gone we feel just as heavy as lead,
but we never get up till the sergeant brings our breakfast up to bed.
Oh, oh, oh, it's a lovely war.
What do we want with eggs
and ham when we've got plum and apple jam?
Form fours. Right turn. How shall we spend the money we earn?
Oh, oh, oh it's a lovely war.
When does a soldier
grumble? When does he make a fuss?
No one is more contented in all the world than us.
Oh it's a cushy life, boys, really we love it so:
Once a fellow was sent on leave and simply refused to go.
Chorus
Come to the cookhouse door,
boys, sniff the lovely stew.
Who is it says the colonel gets better grub than you?
Any complaints this morning? Do we complain? Not we.
What's the matter with lumps of onion floating around the tea?
Chorus
A "Communication Trench" was a narrow trench constructed at an angle to a defensive trench to permit concealed access to the defensive trench.
- Did you know?
