I have known this song for 50 years. I first heard it during my army service in the Royal Artillery, sung by an old soldier at a regimental 'smoker'. This man, a Battery Sergeant Major, had been in the Italian Campaign during the war. I learned the song from him and the tale about Lady Astor's slur, but forgot verses through course of time but was able to refresh my memory via the versions sung around the folk scene. I sang my version to Hamish Henderson and he was happy with it so I guess my cobbled together version was OK. Howevr I have heard it sung in clubs almost as a jolly chorus song and I must take issue with this apporoach. There is some bitterly sarcastic humour in there,but it is NOT a funny song.I always remember the intensity with which my old BSM sang it despite the relaxed atmospher of the smoker. It's a great song I think.