I think it bears strong similarities to 'Johnny I hardly Knew You' - both are biting satires on the fact that the Irish were forced to fight too many other people's wars, summed up in another song, 'We Fought Every Battle But Our Own' - anti-recruitment songs all
Too many modern singers miss the point of these songs by miles - singers not the only ones to do so, it would appear
It may have appeared on the stage, but I doubt very much if itoriginated there
The Irish repertoire has numerous such pieces
Jim Carroll