Lyr Req: Join the British Army (Ewan MacColl)

Subject: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
From: Rana
Date: 17 Sep 00 - 08:45 AM

Hi,

On CBC Radio's Fresh Air (a great program out of Toronto) they have a section where people write in about songs they have memories of.

Some one was looking for a song on the above album which ended its chorus "...join the British Army" - does anyone know the album, recognise the song from the the brief clue (they gave a few more words but I can't remember 'em) or know the track list. I looked at All Music Guide which lists the LP as 195? but no other details.

I look at this as an interesting Mudcat challenge and then can forward the info to Adrian Schuman @ CBC

Cheers Rana

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
From: Karolina
Date: 17 Sep 00 - 09:03 AM

Rana,

The lyrics to Ewan MacColl's "Join The British Army" are here (click).

Karolina

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
From: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 17 Sep 00 - 09:21 AM

I don't know the album, but it sounds to be the song which includes the lyrics (a bit of a guess in places, I'm afraid, but the gist is right) -

When I was young I used to be
As fine a man as ever you'd see,
And the Prince of Wales he said to me,
'Come and join the British army.'
Tooraloora looraloo,
They're looking for monkeys up at the zoo
And says one, 'If I had a face like you,
I'd join the British Army.'

Sarah Conlan baked a cake,
And so for poor old Slattery's sake
Sure, I threw meself into the lake
Pretending I was barmy.
Tooraloora looraloo,
I've made me mind up what to do,
Now I'll work me ticket home to you,
And *$!#%* the British army.

Sergeant Healey went away
And his wife got in the family way,
And the only word that she could say
Was, 'Blame the British army!'
Tooraloora looraloo,
Me curse upon the labour(?) too
That took me darling boy from me
To join the British army.

Cobra Sheen was a terrible lout,
Just give him a couple of jars of stout
And he'd break the enemy with his mouth
And save the British army.
Tooraloora looraloo,
I've made me mind up what to do,
Now I'll work me ticket home to you,
And *$!#%* the British army!

Amongst others, The Dubliners (vocal by Luke Kelly) did a version of it on one of their albums - possibly 'More of the Hard Stuff', which I've attempted to transcribe above. If anyone can clear up the infelicities, I'd be grateful!

Lhiats,

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Sep 00 - 09:22 AM

The album was British Army Songs. I don't think it's been re-released on LP, but I'll check. As I recall, it appeared under two record company labels: Washington and (I think) Riverside.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl - Bless 'em All
From: Ferrara
Date: 17 Sep 00 - 02:44 PM

Ah, Karolina, thanks for the link. I have the album but haven't transcribed all the songs yet. (I love the album and have learned a few of the songs including Bless 'Em All and Browned Off)