The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #106455   Message #2199241
Posted By: Jack Campin
21-Nov-07 - 11:12 AM
Thread Name: Song on a taboo subject?
Subject: RE: Song on a taboo subject?
"Zakhmi Dil", the Pathan War March, sung by British troops on one of the 19th century Afghan wars to these words:

There's a boy across the river
with a bottom like a peach
Alas I can not swim!

(thanx to Lewis Redstock's book for that).

The tune may be the original of "The Quartermaster's Store" - I've no idea what the Pushtu words are. The tune is now a standard in the military pipe repertoire.