New lyrics
what remains? (lyrics: Philip Barnett)
The words of this song were inspired by the story of Paul Barnett, a soldier in the Labour Corps during WW1.
what remains?
not the noise of battle
not the trenches
not the mud
not the young men
places remain
Passchendaele, Somme, Verdun
and names on headstones
in manicured cemeteries
identical memorials
camouflaging those who lie beneath
and poppies
what remains?
not the noise of battle
not the trenches
not the mud
not the young men
Travelling Days (lyrics: Philip Barnett)
A pastiche of the type of song that was sung in the trenches during WW1. The soldiers explain that they thought travel would be an adventure but the situation is not quite what they envisaged.
I was born and bred in Blighty
And was getting rather bored
So I joined up for adventure ‘cause
I’d never been abroad
So here we are in ‘paradise’
Just next to No Man’s Land
I think it’s fair to say things ain’t
Gone quite the way we planned
So when the war is over
And I give them back my gun
I’ll be content to stay at home
My travelling days are done
Peaceful Country (lyrics: Philip Barnett)
A pastiche of the type of song that would not have been out of place at the Women’s Institute in the early 20th century. A complete contrast to what the soldiers were singing in the trenches during WW1.
From our green and peaceful country
There's no need for me to roam
Ev'ry day I am so thankful
For the joys of hearth and home
Climbing hill-tops, through the valleys,
leafy woods and lonely moors
By smooth lakes and fast flowing rivers
Till we reach surrounding shores
The words of this song were inspired by the story of Paul Barnett, a soldier in the Labour Corps during WW1.
what remains?
not the noise of battle
not the trenches
not the mud
not the young men
places remain
Passchendaele, Somme, Verdun
and names on headstones
in manicured cemeteries
identical memorials
camouflaging those who lie beneath
and poppies
what remains?
not the noise of battle
not the trenches
not the mud
not the young men
Travelling Days (lyrics: Philip Barnett)
A pastiche of the type of song that was sung in the trenches during WW1. The soldiers explain that they thought travel would be an adventure but the situation is not quite what they envisaged.
I was born and bred in Blighty
And was getting rather bored
So I joined up for adventure ‘cause
I’d never been abroad
So here we are in ‘paradise’
Just next to No Man’s Land
I think it’s fair to say things ain’t
Gone quite the way we planned
So when the war is over
And I give them back my gun
I’ll be content to stay at home
My travelling days are done
Peaceful Country (lyrics: Philip Barnett)
A pastiche of the type of song that would not have been out of place at the Women’s Institute in the early 20th century. A complete contrast to what the soldiers were singing in the trenches during WW1.
From our green and peaceful country
There's no need for me to roam
Ev'ry day I am so thankful
For the joys of hearth and home
Climbing hill-tops, through the valleys,
leafy woods and lonely moors
By smooth lakes and fast flowing rivers
Till we reach surrounding shores