Hi, Perhaps the 'D-Day Dodgers' song of WW1 was 'Salonika' as it expressed the concern of the soldiers stationed in the Greek port (which was used to mount and supply the Gallipoli expedition) on what they would find in 'Blighty'when they returned home - this was in 1915 and conscription was still a year away. There is a trace of resentment in the words against those who 'evaded' military service. Oh me husband's in Salonika, I wonder if he's dead. I wonder if he knows he's got a kid with a poxy head. (Chorus) So right away, right away, Right away, Salonika, right away, My soldier boy. Well, when the war is over, What will the soldiers do? They'll be walking around with a leg in their hand; The slackers they'll have two. Well, when the war is over What will the slackers do? They'll be hanging around the soldier boys For the loan of a bob or two. Well, They've taxed the pound of butter, They've taxed the penny bun, But still with all their taxes They can't beat the bloody Hun. Now when the war is over What will the slackers do? For every kid in America In Cork there will be two. Well, they've taxed the Coliseum, They've taxed St Mary's Hall. Why don't they tax the gombeens With their backs against the wall? Well, they take us out to Blarney And they lay us on the grass. They put us in the family way And they leave us on our arse. Well, never trust a soldier, A sailor or a marine, And keep your eye on the Sinn Fein boy With his orange, white and green.
Another 'anti-slacker' song was 'I Wore A Tunic' I wore a tunic, a lousy khaki tunic, And you wore civvy clothes, We founght and bled at Loos While you were home on the booze, The booze that no one here knows. Oh you were with the wenches While we were in the trenches, Facing an angry foe. Oh you were a-slacking While we were attacking The Jerry on the Menin Road. All the above is from Roy Palmers excellent book "What A Lovely War!" Hope this helps somebody somewhere.
Colwyn.
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