Keith, what part of "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire" do you not understand? In case you missed it, the song is FIERCELY CRITICAL. Its sentiments were so common among the soldiers that the song spread throughout the Empire in several versions.

If you want to find the Sergeant,
I know where he is, I know where he is, I know where he is.
If you want to find the Sergeant, I know where he is,
He's lying on the canteen floor.
I've seen him, I've seen him, lying on the canteen floor,
I've seen him, I've seen him, lying on the canteen floor.

If you want to find the Quarter-bloke
I know where he is, I know where he is, I know where he is.
If you want to find the Quarter-bloke, I know where he is,
He's miles and miles behind the line.
I've seen him, I've seen him, miles and miles and miles behind the line.
I've seen him, I've seen him, miles and miles and miles behind the line.

If you want the Sergeant-major,
I know where he is, I know where he is, I know where he is.
If you want the Sergeant-major, I know where he is.
He's tossing off the privates' rum.
I've seen him, I've seen him, tossing off the privates' rum.
I've seen him, I've seen him, tossing off the privates' rum.

If you want the C.O.,
I know where he is, I know where he is, I know where he is.
If you want the C.O., I know where he is
He is down in a deep dug-out,
I've seen him, I've seen him, down in a deep dug-out,
I've seen him, I've seen him, down in a deep dug-out.

If you want to find the old battalion,
I know where they are, I know where they are, I know where they are
If you want to find the old battalion, I know where they are,
They're hanging on the old barbed wire,
I've seen 'em, I've seen 'em, hanging on the old barbed wire.
I've seen 'em, I've seen 'em, hanging on the old barbed wire.

The Canadian variant, "Has Anyone Seen the Colonel?" is even more snide, if possible:

Has anyone seen the Colonel?
He's dining with the Brigadier.

Has anyone seen the Major?
He's down in the deep dug-out.

Has anyone seen the Captain?
He's away on six weeks' leave.

Has anyone seen the Subaltern?
He's out on a night patrol.

Has anyone seen the Sergeant-Major?
He's drinking up the Privates' rum.

Has anyone seen the Sergeant?
He's lying on the canteen floor.

Has anyone seen the Corporal?
He's hanging on the old barbed wire.

Has anyone seen the Private?
He's holding up the whole damned line.