The Remembrance

Remember the bands and the grand parades

The flags, the banners, the fine cockades

And how we all looked up to see the King upon the balcony

Who told us we were young and brave

We'd never become the foreigner's slave

If the foreigner comes off best, he said

'You'll be better off dead'

This was a couple of weeks before we got killed in the war

Remember the drums and the trumpets played

When we set sail on the great crusade

And how we all looked up to see the clergyman on the quay

Who told us we were grand and good

To fight for God, as good men should

If the enemy comes off best, he said

'You'll be better off dead'

And this was a couple of days before we got killed in the war

Remember the night before the raid

When the guns began the cannonade

And how we all looked up to see the captain of the company

Who told us we were bold and strong

Let fame and glory spur us on

If the Enemy comes off best, he said

'You'll be better off dead'

This was a couple of hours before we got killed in the war

Remember the shock of the ambuscade

Remember the terrible fusillade

And how we all looked up to see the curious face of the enemy

Who was young, and shabby, and seemed to be

About as foreign as you or me

I never did catch what the poor sod said

When he made sure we were dead

This was a couple of shakes before we got killed in the war