A Soldier's Poem (No.2)
(this page created 10 May 2008)

Thomas Temple told us that he had seen the poem "A Canny Lad from Prudhoe" on this
website and that he had a copy of a second poem by the same author, Pte A Gibbons,
 also written at the Front during the First World War and sold on cards at one (old) penny each.

 Some heritage literature may be considered politically incorrect to modern readers and we
publish the poem below with the clarification that it is not the intention of this website to
offend or promote racial hatred.  War seldom promotes the best attributes of humanity. (PLB)

That said, we thank Thomas for bringing this poem to our attention.

A  SOLDIER'S  POEM (No.2)
Composed at the Front by Pte. A. Gibbons, No. 2050, "D" Coy.,  4th Northd. Fusiliers
 

When we think of dear old Mickley
And the folk we left at home,
We sometimes wish we had never come,
And then we turn to Belgium
And see what plight it's in,
We say that every German must be slain.

Yes, we will slay them everyone
Before this war is done.
And write across their flag "Brutality",
Then we'll plant the Union Jack,
And we'll all come marching back
To that dear little village called Mickley.

So won't that day be grand,
As we march behind the band,
While it's playing
        "Here the Conquering Hero Comes"
Smiling faces we shall meet
As we march along the street,
And instead of roaring cannons, 'twill be drums.

And the Germans' old star lights
That we used to see at nights,
As plenty in our trenches they did teem,
But they never caused an alarm,
Nor did us any harm,
So they'll pass out of our memory like a dream.

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Oh,  if this war was only o'er
And we were back once more,
But there is one thing that makes me sorry for to say,
And it's preying on my mind
Of the lads we'll leave behind
When we have to come
       to march away.

As we were just away a while
Till there was many a blank file,
And from General to a private fell that day,
But altho' our lines were thin
We were fighting for to win,
So what was left we held the Huns at bay.


With Tommy Atkins and Jack Tar,
We'll finish up the war,
And victory to our Country we shall bring,
And as long as we've got breath
We will go through life or death
Before we'll let the Kaiser be our King

                           ------o------

Composed at the Front by Pte. A. Gibbons
No. 2050, "D" Coy., 4th Northd Fusiliers.

Proceeds in aid of Working Party to provide Clothing for our Soldiers.
DON'T FORGET TO BUY ONE.        ONLY ONE PENNY EACH.