The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #56514 Message #884702
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
07-Feb-03 - 08:27 AM
Thread Name: history of English army song
Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL MAKE A MAN OF YOU
In fact, I think it requires quoting in full. The history behind it can be found later.
The War in Song
Pupils used information from :
Great War Songs
http://www.ishk.org/files/war_songs_9812.html
Trenches on the Web
http://www.worldwar1.com/media.htm
I'LL MAKE A MAN OF YOU
The Army and the Navy need attention, The outlook isn't healthy you'll admit, But I've got a perfect dream of a new recruiting scheme, Which I think is absolutely it. If only other girls would do as I do I believe that we could manage it alone, For I turn all suitors from me but the sailor and the Tommy, I've an army and a navy of my own.
On Sunday I walk out with a Soldier, On Monday I'm taken by a Tar, On Tuesday I'm out with a baby Boy Scout, On Wednesday a Hussar; On Thursday a gang oot wi' a Scottie, On Friday, the Captain of the crew; But on Saturday I'm willing, if you'll only take the shilling, To make a man of any one of you.
I teach the tenderfoot to face the powder, That gives an added lustre to my skin, And I show the raw recruit how to give a chaste salute, So when I'm presenting arms he's falling in. It makes you almost proud to be a woman. When you make a strapping soldier of a kid. And he says 'You put me through it and I didn't want to do it But you went and made me love you so I did.'
On Sunday I walk out with a Bo'sun. On Monday a Rifleman in green, On Tuesday I choose a 'sub' in the 'Blues', On Wednesday a Marine; On Thursday a Terrier from Tooting, On Friday a Midshipman or two, But on Saturday I'm willing, if you'll only take the shilling, To make a man of any one of you.
Originally a recruiting song from the music hall. Hence the "On Saturday I'm willing, if you'll only take the shilling, To make a man of any one of you." Which relates to the basic enlistment payment of "The Queen's/King's shilling"