Compliments of a friend from Sydney, Cape Breton, NS, who in turn got it from a friend in Oakville, ON. With Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day approaching, I thought it would be an appropriate contribution. It seems that just as the Veterans themselves are fast fading from our lives, so are our remembrances of their deeds. (Something I found out while preparing this~~the title was changed in Canada in 1931, in the US in 1954. What is the designation in other countries? Though it has not always been so, both countries commemorate the day on November 11.)

WHEN WE GET TO FLANDERS
(By Piper Alex MacDonell 185 Overseas Battalion, CEF)

Old Gaelic Air

We are the boys behind the guns
And now we're off to meet the Huns.
Kaiser Bill will up and run
When we get to Flanders!

Chorus:

Faill-ill-e, Faill-ill-o
First the heel and then the toe,
pack your kits and off we go,
Hurray for our Commanders!

There's McDonald from Bras d'Or
Perhaps you heard of him before
There'll be Judique on the floor,
When we get to Flanders!

We have boys from Margaree,
and from Creignish by the sea,
To tell the truth, 'tween you and me,
No better men in Flanders!

We have boys from old Port Hood,
Of the breed of manly brood,
You bet your boots they will make good,
When we get to Flanders!

Laddies from along the line,
Broad Cove Banks and from the mines,
When they reach the firing line,
There'll be Hell to pay in Flanders!

We have boys from Lake Ainslie strand,
They will fight you know to beat the band,
They have done it on the Van,
They'll prove it now in Flanders!

Whycocomagh is in the fore,
When in midst of cannons roar,
They will prove it to the core,
When we get to Flanders!

Louisbourg and Sydney town,
From Baddeck and all around,
They will slam the Kaiser down
When we get to Flanders!

Iona town, Shenacadie,
And Grand Narrows by the sea,
It's just as sure as sure can be,
They'll do well in Flanders!

Kaiser Bill you dirty brute,
The Devil will have you by hook or crook,
Pull on your larrigans and scoot,
Before we get to Flanders!

Murchadh mor a ghoidhean ruaidh,
Ged ach bitheadh agad ach bloith do thuaidhe
Gheabh an Kaiser dud mun ghruaidh,
When we get to Flanders!

(This song is taken from a booklet called Songs of the 185 Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Cape Breton Highlands.)