Your Country Say's it Needs You
For as far as the eye could see
Khaki clad young lads lined up
Keen to swap their old flat caps
For new tin hats
Thats the way they were in them
Days
Waved off or shooed from
Platforms steamy, cold and grey
From shiny front door steps and mats
Sent on their way…
With nowt but a kiss or a hug or a
Shoulder pat
By ma’s in their curlers, aprons and
Hand crochet shawls .. but then
That’s the way they were them days
Not to mention the dads with their
Braces, their boots and cravats,
All short back n sides, moustaches
And this and their that’s…
That’s the way they were them days
Oh’ and let’s not forget all those
Back before Christmas son chats
Those belly laughs, the lighting of fags
And the nods and the winks…
That’s the way they were them days
Remember that stiff upper lip son
That duty calls, for king and for
Country you don’t have to have balls
It’ll all be over by Christmas, the fools
That’s the way it was them days
-
Author:
Neville (
Offline) - Published: July 2nd, 2020 00:06
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 56
Offline)
Comments7
New ironic meaning to the song "I'll be Home for Christmas"! Thanks for providing some sobering food for thought. For thinking people, the society's fawning over the military creates real challenges... how to be respectful of individuals and an organization designed to "protect" us and willing to take great risks... in a culture that is all too ready to use force to address international crises and in which way too many resources are used to support the military-industrial complex. You reminded me that we are still in them days.
my goodness... thanking you for such a considered visit jarcher54....
I really enjoyed your little tour de force with its cravats and curlers and stiff starched khaki! A little Rudyard Kipling but not as gung ho!
far too kind you are and very much appreciated too ta boot 🙂
That's certainly the way it was in them days.
"We will remember them".
Aye GF60.. we can not afford to forget .. thanking you as always sir
Neville
That's the way it was in them those days, those days so far yet only a 100 years ago, that you have so poetically recalled.
These words seemed to write themselves at the end of a long day toiling and reflecting on the futility of war ... am bombarding ya with a multitude of thanks as I say cheers my friend
Neville
Good write Neville.
War is no laughing matter, but in my 'meanwhile' times - Ohh, I remember me call-up to the war - the Boer Wars, that is! I'm very old. lol.
Yet true - in a church magazine, a colonel-type guy wrote of a not-too-distant relative from the Boer Wars. I never told ya more than a few of the congregation are aged about 90 or more, but that can't be helped. It's a mainly elderly group there.
absolutely no laughing matter but do we learn.. not really.. and take my word, that is the way they were those days... i wonder how many would respond today if thee was another call to arms...
Cheers Orchidee
Neville
Not so many years back the terrible carnage and captured so well the life often led by most who went willingly warward - "the way it was" then is perfectly versed - - - - a heart-tugging read if ever there was Nev................x
Bless you Fay and kind wishes to thee this Thursday mane...
We shall be saying this till we fade away and the glory of war will continue to eat society and leave its vengence trails.
A fine post today Neville and i am tempted to recount my postings on this heartfelt subject. No doubt November will see a plethera of such but anytime is a good time to remember. But we learn too late in life to save so many good souls.
Thank you DA.. I am inclined to agree with you sir.. I sincerely hope we never forget .. and yes, I seem to recall some of your posts that were clearly similarly inspired and motivated...
I am seriously looking forward to returning to the Menin Gate again as soon travelling to France & Belgium is permitted.. I dunno if you have ever stood there when the Last Post ceremony is played , but I find it one of the most moving events ever... (and hopefully, always)...
Thank you for todays visit and true
Neville
Hi Neville,
A very good write.
As I read it. Lord Kitchener kept on popping up in my mind with the iconic poster.
Keep writing and safe during these challenging times.
FineB
Ha.. I was trying to upload a modified version of that very same thing only yesterday
thanking you muchly FineB
Neville
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