Here's the lyrics via https://www.meneelyvansante.co.uk/resources/Partners-II/In-the-course-of-business.pdf

The same band (Meneely Van Sante) has a performance of it which you can hear here

In the Course of Business
by Ewen Carruthers

In the course of business I often travel North
Keeps my soul together for what it's worth
In the course of business many stories I do hear
Mostly go in one side and out the other ear
Mostly go in one side and out the other ear

But here is one small story that I wish to tell
Names I don’t remember the substance I know well
I had to meet an old man some papers for to sign
He said it was his birthday and he was 89
He said it was his birthday and he was 89

I wished him happy birthday and handed him my pen
But he had trouble signing, he had to try again
Explaining that it was not age, but a wound from the Great War
I got it at the Somme, son, just like many more
I got it at the Somme, son, just like many more

Six lads from the village all under 21
Only two returning, this old man was one
No one ever told them what they were fighting for
Oh no, said the old man, I didn’t like the war
Oh no, said the old man, I didn’t like the war

In the course of business I really had to go
As I packed my briefcase, I asked him one thing more
As he answered my last question I had to turn away
[I asked] Do you still think of them? He said, Aye lad, every day
[I asked] Do you still think of them? He said, Aye lad, every day