Rhymes of a Red Cross Man

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"></SPAN></p> <br/> <h2> The Red Retreat </h2> <p><i>Tramp, tramp, the grim road, the road from Mons to Wipers<br/> (I've 'ammered out this ditty with me bruised and bleedin' feet);<br/> Tramp, tramp, the dim road&mdash;we didn't 'ave no pipers,<br/> And bellies that was 'oller was the drums we 'ad to beat.<br/> Tramp, tramp, the bad road, the bits o' kiddies cryin' there,<br/> The fell birds a-flyin' there, the 'ouses all aflame;<br/> Tramp, tramp, the sad road, the pals I left a-lyin' there,<br/> Red there, and dead there. . . . Oh blimy, it's a shame!</i><br/> <br/> A-singin' "'Oo's Yer Lady Friend?" we started out from 'Arver,<br/> A-singin' till our froats was dry&mdash;we didn't care a 'ang;<br/> The Frenchies 'ow they lined the way, and slung us their palaver,<br/> And all we knowed to arnser was the one word "vang";<br/> They gave us booze and caporal, and cheered for us like crazy,<br/> And all the pretty gels was out to kiss us as we passed;<br/> And 'ow they all went dotty when we 'owled the Marcelaisey!<br/> Oh, Gawd! Them was the 'appy days, the days too good to last.<br/> <br/> We started out for God Knows Where, we started out a-roarin';<br/> We 'ollered: "'Ere We Are Again", and 'struth! but we was dry.<br/> The dust was gummin' up our ears, and 'ow the sweat was pourin';<br/> The road was long, the sun was like a brazier in the sky.<br/> We wondered where the 'Uns was&mdash;we wasn't long a-wonderin',<br/> For down a scruff of 'ill-side they rushes like a flood;<br/> Then oh! 'twas music 'eavenly, our batteries a-thunderin',<br/> And arms and legs went soarin' in the fountain of their blood.<br/> <br/> For on they came like bee-swarms, a-hochin' and a-singin';<br/> We pumped the bullets into 'em, we couldn't miss a shot.<br/> But though we mowed 'em down like grass, like grass was they a-springin',<br/> And all our 'ands was blistered, for our rifles was so 'ot.<br/> We roared with battle-fury, and we lammed the stuffin' out of 'em,<br/> And then we fixed our bay'nets and we spitted 'em like meat.<br/> You should 'ave 'eard the beggars squeal;<br/> you should 'ave seen the rout of 'em,<br/> And 'ow we cussed and wondered when the word came: Retreat!<br/> <br/> Retreat! That was the 'ell of it. It fair upset our 'abits,<br/> A-runnin' from them blighters over 'alf the roads of France;<br/> A-scurryin' before 'em like a lot of blurry rabbits,<br/> And knowin' we could smash 'em if we just 'ad 'alf a chance.<br/> Retreat! That was the bitter bit, a-limpin' and a-blunderin';<br/> All day and night a-hoofin' it and sleepin' on our feet;<br/> A-fightin' rear guard actions for a bit o' rest, and wonderin'<br/> If sugar beets or mangels was the 'olesomest to eat.<br/> <br/> Ho yus, there isn't many left that started out so cheerily;<br/> There was no bands a-playin' and we 'ad no autmobeels.<br/> Our tummies they was 'oller, and our 'eads was 'angin' wearily,<br/> And if we stopped to light a fag the 'Uns was on our 'eels.<br/> That rotten road! I can't forget the kids and mothers flyin' there,<br/> The bits of barns a-blazin' and the 'orrid sights I sor;<br/> The stiffs that lined the wayside, me own pals a-lyin' there,<br/> Their faces covered over wiv a little 'eap of stror.<br/> <br/> <i>Tramp, tramp, the red road, the wicked bullets 'ummin'<br/> (I've panted out this ditty with me 'ot 'ard breath.)<br/> Tramp, tramp, the dread road, the Boches all a-comin',<br/> The lootin' and the shootin' and the shrieks o' death.<br/> Tramp, tramp, the fell road, the mad 'orde pursuin' there,<br/> And 'ow we 'urled it back again, them grim, grey waves;<br/> Tramp, tramp, the 'ell road, the 'orror and the ruin there,<br/> The graves of me mateys there, the grim, sour graves.</i><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />