Lyr Req: Marching (Alan Bell)

Subject: Marching by Alan Bell
From: Shanty Kees
Date: 11 May 02 - 02:56 PM

Can anybody help me to the words of Marching (Marching down the road again) by Alan Bell. It was recorded by Jim Mageean & Johnny Collins on their album "Live at Herga!" (about 1982). Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching by Alan Bell
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 May 02 - 03:38 PM

I haven't found anything relevant--any lyric snippets?

Subject: Lyr Add: MARCHING (Alan Bell)
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 11 May 02 - 04:00 PM

Hastily culled from my beer addled memory so may not be entire ...AWM

I joined up in the army They said I was a clown
and so to teach me soldiering they marched me up and down
and like the good old Duke of York who had 10000 men
they marched me up to the top o the Hill and marched me down again

and I went marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and Im still marching

They marched me off to flanders to all the rain and mud
I learned to keep me head down and run whenever i could
I never thought I would survive when all me mates was gone
but at last they said to me Young man It's time to march you home

They sent me into civvy street and gave to me a treat
A demob suit and a new pair of boots to put on me tired old feet
I marched on down to the factory for a year or two or more
But hard times came, the boss went broke and they marched me out the door

I've marched Old england over to try and find a job
I don't want much just some graft to earn a couple of bob
We'll all ,march down to London to see the king and queen
some times it seems to me thats all I've ever been...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching by Alan Bell
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 02 - 04:35 PM

If it is the same Alan Bell that runs the Fylde Folk Festival (and it does look like one of his songs) his contact details are on www.fyldefolk.co.uk

Good Luck and Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching by Alan Bell
From: Shanty Kees
Date: 12 May 02 - 05:44 AM

AWM, this is the one. Thank you all very much for your help. Kees

Subject: Lyr Add: MARCHING (Alan Bell)
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 12 May 02 - 10:32 AM

I was more addled than I thought and ran two verses together....

it should be

They marched me into civvy street and said now here's a treat
They gave me a demob suit and new boots for me aching feet
The missus said that they'd be fine for walking in the park
I had to laugh I had to smile what a bloody lark

So I went off to make me way in the land that heroes made
and pretty soon was taken on and learned meself a trade
I marched down to the factory gate for a year or two or more
but hard times came, the boss went broke and they marched me out the door

sorry AWM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Marching by Alan Bell
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 07:39 PM

Walking home from today's big march in London this song by Alan Bell popped into my head, but I couldn't remember the words, so I thought I'd check the Mudcat. Which came up trumps.

For convenience I'll collate the verses from A Wandering Minstrel's posts (I've a feeling there may be more Alan sometimes sings):

I joined up in the army They said I was a clown
and so to teach me soldiering they marched me up and down
and like the good old Duke of York who had 10000 men
they marched me up to the top o the Hill and marched me down again
and I went marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and I'm still marching

They marched me off to Flanders to all the rain and mud
I learned to keep me head down and run whenever I could
I never thought I would survive when all me mates was gone
but at last they said to me "Young man, it's time to march you home"
and I went marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and I'm still marching

They marched me into civvy street and said now here's a treat
They gave to me a demob suit and new boots for me aching feet
The missus said that they'd be fine for walking in the park
I had to laugh, I had to smile, what a bloody lark
and I went marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and I'm still marching

So I went off to make me way in the land that heroes made
and pretty soon was taken on and learned meself a trade
I marched down to the factory gate for a year or two or more
but hard times came, the boss went broke and they marched me out the door
and I went marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and I'm still marching

I've marched Old England over to try and find a job
I don't want much, just some graft, to earn a couple of bob.
We'll all march down to London to see the king and queen
sometimes it seems to me that all I've ever been
is marching, marching down the road again
marching, marching down the road again
and tho I keep on marching and trying to reach the end
I haven't go there yet and I'm still marching.