The song was sung in the British Army in France during 1914-1918.

According to Chrisopher Haworth, writing about the beginning of November, 1918:

"After we have stumbled twice into the ditch on the dark roads in the countryside, we find the billet of the Trench Mortar Battery. Their captain is teaching the boys Rogerum, a song which, according to the captain, has been the favorite with our brigade since 1915. The song is the story of Dives and Lazarus, put rather crudely but effectively. It is a marching song which has a rich and sacred meaning as we realize how many stout hearts have tramped through those dark days singing Rogerum. It is more significant than Tipperary, for that is a light-hearted song which has accompanied men on the forward march to the line, while Rogerum has been sung by fellows who came down the line utterly wretched, worn out and often wounded."