THAT'S HOW WE SERVE 'EM IN ENGLAND

Words and Music by J.H.Woodhouse and W.B.Kelly

Where are the men of the Light Brigade?
Where are those heroes few?
The men who took part in that noble charge,
And lived the battle through?
What of the promises England made
When servitude was o'er?
Why do they suffer the winter's blast
And beg from door to door?

CHORUS

That's how we serve 'em in England!
When their fighting days are o'er.
There's a reward for our heroes,
Begging from door to door.
Then we sing "Rule Britannia!
Britons shall rule the wave!"
Sixpence a day for a hero
To end with a pauper's grave.


Who never listen'd with cheeks aglow
And heard the story told;
The charge they made thro' the vale of death
Those heroes firm and bold?
Is it a credit to England's crown?
Will it bedeck the rose,
Holding them up to the public gaze
Array'd in paupers' clothes?


What have we done for our noble sons?
Why should we hide the truth,
After they spent in their country's cause
The brightest days of youth?
Now in their rapid declining days,
We their appeals ignore.
There is no aid for the Light Brigade
Beyond the workhouse door.

===================================================

"The words of the song were suggested by the following circumstances:-"

John Richardson was born in Hargreaves Street, Hulme, Manchester on October 14th 1828. He ran away to Dublin, joined the Eleventh Hussars ("Prince Albert's Own") and was drafted out with his regiment when Russia declared war with England.

For two years he was "never off the field of battle" and rode on the memorable charge of the Light Brigade. He had two horses shot from under him - one at the guns and another at Inkerman.

J.H.Woodhouse thrice took the old man out of "Crumpell" [?Crumpsall] Workhouse, buying him clothes and looking after him, but the old veteran, tired of the outer world, again sought the seclusion of the workhouse, where Major Ballintyne was most kind to him. And there one of the last of the Light Brigade died, forgotten by his country, but always remembered by his one-time friend.

SOURCE

"Favourite Songs and Ballads"
3rd series, 4th edition

Published by Marks & Spencer Ltd, Derby Street, Cheetham, Manchester

Not dated, but Marks and Spencer's head office in Derby Street, Cheetham, was opened on November 8th, 1901. This remained the head office of the company till 1927.