Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette

Subject: Lyr Add: THE POWER OF A CIGARETTE (unknown, 1915)
From: bill\sables
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 11:11 AM

This song was written at Christmas 1915 by an unknown British soldier, I'm sure that it will disgust most of you, having read the thread on smoking v non-smoking folk clubs, but perhaps Clinton Hammond might like to sing it.

THE POWER OF A CIGARETTE

'Tis Yuletide out in the trenches, the night is cold and drear.
With never a sign from our sturdy line, of the foeman who lurks so near.
Our boys they are staunch and ready, though chilled to the bone and wet,
But their eyes grow bright as they place a light to a Woodbine cigarette.

Merely a pinch of tobacco encased in a paper shell,
But it has a power in the midnight hour the soldier alone can tell
For it whispers of dear old England; of home, and his heart's desire
And it seems to show in its ruddy glow the gleam of a homestead fire.

It brings to his mental vision the faces of those he loves,
And he softly sighs as he clasps his eyes on his tattered and war-torn gloves.
It speaks to him too of friendship and colleagues who ne'er forget
And his heart grows glad as the soldier lad inhales from his cigarette

'Tis Yuletide out in the trenches, the enemy close at hand,
But he quite forgets while his cigarettes whisper softly of Motherland.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: AndyG
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 11:31 AM

So proving that Edwardians were even more unnaturally sentimental than Victorians. I have to wonder about the "unknown Britsh soldier" bit, but having read some WWI diaries I certainly wouldn't rule it out.

I real horror is that the vast majority of serving soldiers in 1915 would have enjoyed it because of the sentiments it expresses !

AndyG

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:20 PM

He might at that, if only he had a tune to go with it...

;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: bill\sables
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:24 PM

Sorry Clinton I got it from an old BAT magazine from Dec 25 1915 and there was no tune refered to or given. It was probably sung to some "popular" tune of the day.
Bill

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: MMario
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:25 PM

Would you rather he think of comradeship, home, love, warmth and relatives while shooting down fellow human beings?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: bill\sables
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:32 PM

Do you not think that by blowing smoke across no mans land he killed more of the enemy with passive smoking than he would have done with his gun.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:21 AM

Well, it does speak of another time, Bill. I gave up smoking in 1994, but the lyrics sure made me think of all the good times I had, sharing a cigarette with somebody.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Power of a Cigarette
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:49 AM

How close does the tune for Christmas in the Trenches fit? Same kind of maudlin tear jerker.......but I know the feeling. Spent all day today at a hosp 100 miles from home with nothing to do but smoke........gads.