You can hear George Formby's version at YouTube:

(Actually, YouTube has several copies, but I think the audio is identical on all of them, varying somewhat in sound fidelity.)


BLESS 'EM ALL
As sung by George Formby, 1940.

They say there's a troop ship just leavin' Bombay
Bound for Old Blighty's shore,
Heavily laden with time-expired men,
Bound for the land they adore.
There's many an airman just finishin' 'is time.
There's many a twerp signin' on.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean,
So cheer up, my lads. Bless 'em all.

CHORUS: Bless 'em all. Bless 'em all,
The long an' the short an' the tall.
Bless all the sergeants an' W-O-ones.
Bless all the corp'rals an' their blinkin' sons,
'Cause we're sayin' goodbye to them all
As back to their village they crawl.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean,
So cheer up, my lads. Bless 'em all.

They say if you work 'ard you'll get better pay.
We've 'eard all that before.
Clean up your buttons an' polish your boots,
Scrub out the barrack-room floor.
There's many a rookie 'as taken it in
Hook, line, an' sinker an' all.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean,
So cheer up, my lads. Bless 'em all. CHORUS

Now they say that the sergeant's a very nice chap.
Oh, what a tale to tell!
Ask 'im for leave on a Saturday night,
He'll pay your fare 'ome as well.
There's many an airman 'as blighted 'is life
Through writin' rude words on the wall.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean,
So cheer up, my lads. Bless 'em all. CHORUS

Nobody knows what a twerp you 'ave been,
So cheer up, my lads. Bless 'em all.