Great song from the Brits in Italy
#1

Original verses (whichever they are) written by Major Hamish Henderson of the 51st Highland Division in response to an ill considered, 1944 comment by Lady Astor, in the House of Commons, accusing Soldiers in Italy of "dodging D-Day".

 

Todd's comment: Never cross the infantry!!I figured everyone would get a kick out of this because we are all familiar with the Med. theater, and of course we have a couple of folks that were there!! Reminder, this was written from the British perspective as a result of one of their politicians ill advised comments.

 

The D-Day Dodgers

 

 

There is a song the Eight

Army used to sing,

Marching through the desert,

Marching with a swing

But now they're on a different game.

Although the tune

Is still the same

The words have all been altered,

The words we're singing still:

 

We're the D-Day Dodgers

Here in Italy,

Drinking all the vino,

Always on a spree.

We didn't land with Eisenhower

And so they think we're just a shower

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

We're the D-Day dodgers

Here in Italy

Drinking all the vino,

Always on a spree.

Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks,

We go to war in ties like swanks.

We are the D-Day Dodgers,

Way out in Italy

 

Dearest Lady Astor,

You think you're mighty hot,

Standing on the platform,

Talking tommyrot.

Dear England's sweetheart and her pride

We think your mouth's too bleeding wide -

From all the D-Day Dodgers,

In sunny Italy.

 

Here's to Lady Astor,

Our pin up girl out here.

She's the dear old lady,

Who sends us such good beer

And when we get our Astor band,

We'll be the proudest in the land,

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

We landed in Salerno,

A holiday with pay,

The Jerries brought the band out

To greet us on the way.

Showed us the sights and gave us tea,

We all sang songs, the beer was free

To welcome D-Day Dodgers,

To sunny Italy.

 

Salerno and Cassino

We're takin' in our stride

We didn't go to fight there,

We went there for the ride

Anzio and Sanzio were just names,

We only went to look for dames,

The artful D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

'round Lake Trasimano

We'd a lovely time

Bags of wine and women,

They didn't cost a dime.

Base wallahs, amgot and the yanks,

All stayed in Rome,

To dodge the tanks

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

We stayed a week in Florence,

Polished off the wine,

Then thumbed our way to Rimini

Right through the Gothic Line

Soon to Bologna we will go

When Jerrys gone across the Po

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

The lads that D-Day dodged.

 

We hear the boys in France are

Going home on leave,

After six months service

It's a shame they're not relieved

But we can carry on out here

For what may be a few more years

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

Once we heard a rumour

We were going home

Back to dear old Blighty

Never more to roam

Then someone said in France you'll fight

We answered: "No, we'll just sit tight!"

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

The lads that D-Day dodged.

 

When the war is over

And we've done our bit

Climbing over mountains,

Through mud and sleet and ----,

Then we will all be sent out east

Till B.L.A. have been released

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

Forgotten by the many

Remembered by the few

We'd our armistice when

An armestice was new

One million Germans gave up to us

We finished our war without much fuss

For we're the D-Day Dodgers,

Out here in Italy.

 

Look around the mountains

In the mud and rain

You'll find scattered crosses,

Some which bear no name.

Heart break and toil and suffering gone

The boys beneath them slumber on,

For they're the D-Day Dodgers,

Who stayed in Italy.

Reply
#2

That's bloody good mate! Wait were there men fightin' in Europe before D-DAY? Oh ya that's right, I believe we had been fighting in the Mediterranean since 1942! Oh ya, that WAR! :banghead:

 

I do remember that whole fiasco now. Man, the lady sounds like a Nancy Pelosi (oops did I say that?) ! :frown:

 

I have to listen to the actual song later. Gotta run and take a shower and get ready for work. Hurry, hurry!

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Reply
#3

That's bloody good mate! Wait were there men fightin' in Europe before D-DAY? Oh ya that's right, I believe we had been fighting in the Mediterranean since 1942! Oh ya, that WAR! :banghead:

 

I do remember that whole fiasco now. Man, the lady sounds like a Nancy Pelosi (oops did I say that?) ! :frown:

 

I have to listen to the actual song later. Gotta run and take a shower and get ready for work. Hurry, hurry!

 

M-1 You are right on target. I think I also remember something happening

before D-Day. They ought to give that gal the waterboard treatment. Rocky

Reply


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