Lyr Add: White Poppy (Gary Hopwood)

Subject: Lyr Add: White Poppy (Gary Hopwood)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 21 - 11:39 PM

David Kidman sang this to perfection last Monday, and sent these lyrics.

WHITE POPPY
(Gary Hopwood, 2013)

I don’t want to fight for King and Country, I don’t want to go to your war
And I don’t believe your propaganda –
    I’m not sure what you’re fighting for
But I’ve seen what you do to Conchies if in duty they should fail
And I’ve never before been in trouble with the law,
    and I’m frightened of going off to jail.
I’m frightened of going off to jail, my boys,
    frightened of going off to jail
And I know I’m right and I don’t want to fight,
    but I’m frightened of going off to jail.

And there’s lovely ladies in the High Street, they’re as pretty as can be
But if I’m not dressed up in khaki, oh what will they think of me?
Will they think that I’m fine and handsome
    when I’m dressed in my civvy clothes?
But they’ve got white feathers in their handbags,
    I’m frightened of getting one of those.
I’m frightened of getting one of those.
I’m frightened of getting one of those.
And I know I’m right and I don’t want to fight,
I’m frightened of getting one of those.

And my mates have all joined up together,
    they’re all marching in a row
And they say it doesn’t really matter if I should choose to stay or go
Oh but how will I feel tomorrow, when the birds of war have flown?
Will they think that I left them there (just) to die?
    I’m frightened of being here alone.

So now I’m sitting out in Flanders, scared as I can be
There’s a German boy close by here, & he sounds just as scared as me
I can hear him crying for his mother, I can hear him calling for his God
Oh, but at first light I’m going to have to fight
    because I’m frightened of the firing squad.

So now I’m wearing the white poppy, thank God it is not red
Look after young men when they’re living,
    don’t glo-ri-fy them when they’re dead
And when governments come calling, beating drums of war
And you know you’re right and you don’t want to fight,
    well don’t be frightened any more.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQP5c-r3kr8