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
For the "On Sunday I walk out" see Here

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"


Nigel