The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #25487   Message #299206
Posted By: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
17-Sep-00 - 09:21 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Join the British Army (Ewan MacColl)
Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
I don't know the album, but it sounds to be the song which includes the lyrics (a bit of a guess in places, I'm afraid, but the gist is right) -

When I was young I used to be
As fine a man as ever you'd see,
And the Prince of Wales he said to me,
'Come and join the British army.'
Tooraloora looraloo,
They're looking for monkeys up at the zoo
And says one, 'If I had a face like you,
I'd join the British Army.'

Sarah Conlan baked a cake,
And so for poor old Slattery's sake
Sure, I threw meself into the lake
Pretending I was barmy.
Tooraloora looraloo,
I've made me mind up what to do,
Now I'll work me ticket home to you,
And *$!#%* the British army.

Sergeant Healey went away
And his wife got in the family way,
And the only word that she could say
Was, 'Blame the British army!'
Tooraloora looraloo,
Me curse upon the labour(?) too
That took me darling boy from me
To join the British army.

Cobra Sheen was a terrible lout,
Just give him a couple of jars of stout
And he'd break the enemy with his mouth
And save the British army.
Tooraloora looraloo,
I've made me mind up what to do,
Now I'll work me ticket home to you,
And *$!#%* the British army!

Amongst others, The Dubliners (vocal by Luke Kelly) did a version of it on one of their albums - possibly 'More of the Hard Stuff', which I've attempted to transcribe above. If anyone can clear up the infelicities, I'd be grateful!

Lhiats,

Bobby Bob