Lyr Req/Add: Cold in the Trenches (Robb Johnson)

Subject: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 07:52 AM

There's a handful of songs that still echo around in my head from the Yorkshire 2003 Gathering. As with lots of events, one hears songs not heard before, some new, some old, and quite often there is information avaiable, sometimes easy to find, sometimes more difficult, and so I know about some of the songs new to me, but there are just a couple of songs left that were sung at YG2003 that I would like to know more about. This is one of them and I'm sorry I can't quite recall who sang them. It would be great to have some general info if this catches the attention of the singer or songwriter.

Cheers Brad.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 09:04 AM

Hi Brad

I think you will find it was Mick who sang this song. It is by Rob Johnson. A very powerful song. If you need the words, let me know.

ZM

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 09:57 AM

Yes it was me that sang it. There's an interview with Robb at The Night Cafe with a short passage about the origin of Cold In The Trenches:

"RJ: 'Cold In The Trenches' was written whilst we were going around The Bedford House Cemetery near Ypres. These cementeries are very very moving. Chilling. We'd decided the lads would probably have preferred having a beer to being slaughtered, so we went and had several for them. On my inevitable way to the toilet, I noticed it was raining, and thought "god, it would be cold in those trenches tonight..." "

Mick

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 10:07 AM

Yes powerful is just the right word for it. Thanks for that info Mick (and your great rendition!)& ZM.

Brad

Subject: Lyr Add: COLD IN THE TRENCHES TONIGHT
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 07:53 PM

Brad

Mick and I sang it in Talbot House, Poperinge, and it gave me goose bumps, because of the history of Talbot House.


It's cold in the trenches tonight
Cold in the trenches tonight
They wine and they dine
Both sides of the line
        But it's cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.

There's rats in the dugout tonight
Rats in the dugout tonight
They wine and they dine
Both sides of the line
        But it's cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.

But it's warm in La Poupée tonight
Martha will be there tonight
Madame and her daughters
Officers' quarters
        But it's cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.

And the boy who kissed her last night
Who fell so in love at first sight
Marched on up to Wipers
Where some Gerry sniper's
        Laid him cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.

God damn all you generals tonight
Your kings and your kaisers tonight
They wine and they dine
Both sides of the line
        But it's cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.
        
        Yes it's cold in the trenches
        So cold in the trenches
        Cold in the trenches tonight.


Note: La Poupée was a place of 'alternative recreation' in the town of Poperinge which was the staging point for the troops on the Ypres ('Wipers' to the British troops) front.
(The town was also the home of the original Talbot House, which gave rise to the TocH - signaller's code for the letters T, H - organization).

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: Dani
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 08:18 PM

Could we have a tune?

This is one hell of a song.

Dani

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 02:03 AM

Wasn't very warm on the Beaches 59 years ago either.

LTS

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold in the trenches tonight
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 05:07 AM

I'll put the tune later when I've got some time.

Mick