JOINING UP (Paul O Brien)

This is an enthusiastic recruiting song, all boys together off on a great adventure in Europe. Luckily for the recruiting officers there was no CNN to let the lads know what was waiting for them. They were able to have their pay, or pension as it was called to be partly or wholly paid out at home. This promised a good steady income for their families, as long as it lasted.

I haven’t had a decent job

Since Larkin’s been about

And Murphy and his cronies

Locked the workers out

But I’m young and strong and able

And I want to play my part

I’m off to help the Belgians

But it’s breaking Mary’s heart

We’re heading off to Flanders Adventure for to seek

And MARY gets me pension It’s two pound six a week

And if I don’t get back in time To see the baby born

i’ll send her back a blanket to keep the CHISLER warm

I’ve done me basic training

Down the Curragh with the sheep

They’ve given me a uniform

I worn it for a week

We’re going to take the Holly

Across the Irish Sea

Sailing off to Flanders

And we won’t be home for tea

We’re heading off …..

They said they’d post me wages

With interest each week

That’ll put me Mary straight

With what she’s bought on tic

She can ramble from the GPO

To the pawn in Marlboro Street

Pick up the stuff she’s hocked

For buying food to eat

We’re heading off …..

We’re off the beat the Germans

And get medals fore and aft

We could even get commended

By the lofty chiefs of staff

And with all out decorations

Our ribbons and our scars

We’ll be the envy of the slackers

In every pub and bar

We’re heading off…..