Twentieth Century Soldier
It’s the year Nineteen Hundred ring in the New Year.
All hope for the future with nothing to fear.
But even back then the rot had begun
For down in South Africa land of diamonds and sun.
It’s Atkins V Boer to the tac,tac,tac of the Maxim gun!
With the Boer war over, look forward we must
Peace to all men in “God King and Empire” we trust.
Then come nineteen fourteen the call comes again.
For old Tommy Atkins to bear up to the pain.
So “come my brave lads come fight for your land”.
Why? Coz they’ve murdered some Prince name of Ferdinand.
So off goes old Tommy bear witness he must,
to the carnage in trenches of mud blood and dust.
Now in modern warfare technologies not lost,
Tanks are invented and aircraft a must,
But what Tommy remembers a generation lost.
Now with the war to end wars all done and past
It’s into the Twenties the time goes so fast.
Is old Tommy forgotten? No he stands guard round the globe so the Empire may last.
“ Bit of active service son? Dublin or up the Pass”!
It’s into the thirties depressions not good,
still we got through it we knew that we would.
But listen lads listen and not far away,
A madman named Hitler is having his say.
Austria annexed we wonder what for,
then the sound of the Jackboot in the Rhineland once more.
So off down to Munich goes Neville that’s fine!
Comes back with a promise of “ peace in our time.”
But still into Poland the Jackboot does march.
Can mans thirst for blood never be parched?
Five long years inventions abound,
from Spitfires and Hurricanes to jet engine sounds.
But still through it all Tommy’s still asked to fight,
From Dunkirk through Normandy with Berlin in his sights.
Then peace comes again in mid forty - five
But only to those that wars left alive
At least peace will last in this modern world.
Because of the threat of “Nukes” being hurled.
Through this strange peace Tommy’s still had his fight.
From Korea to Kenya with all of his might,
Through Suez, Malaya and Aden a while.
Then off into Belfast a new fighting style,
So into the Eighties can this be wars end?
No down to the Falklands old Tommy they send.
Then into an era of new micro chips,
Of high tech tanks and cruise carrying ships.
At home on the news and headlined in papers,
Come stories to us of Arabian capers.
Still no reason for us to worry,
If war to and fro in Gulf regions should scurry.
Then into Kuwait Sadam sends his forces.
Now this could affect our oil resources!
“We can’t have that” our Government say
“Send Tommy Atkins, he’ll save the day”
“And we’ve got all this new technology”.
“We can use lots of that to the media’s glee”!
So in go the cruise and the bombs oh so smart!
They strike out Iraq’s industrial heart.
“And when we are finished we’ll send Tommy he’s bold”
So Tommy waits orders with a sweat that is cold.
His only real wish his girls hand to hold.
So after the millions have been spent
On these clever weapons of evil intent.
Forward once more Tommy must go
Again through the breach against his foe.
It’s the Nineteen Nineties this must be wars end!
Why there’s not even a cold war the budget to spend.
But them that’s in politics they know what’s best
“We can risk Tommy’s life in other folks mess”
So Tommy tabs streets in the Balkans his tactics to test.
Will poor Mr Atkins never find rest?
Peace keeping duties for Tommy, hailed a“NEW MODERN ROLE”.
“Saves on budget and keeps Tommy off the dole.”
“New peace keeping duties says Tommy, sounds fine”.
“So I won’t loose no mates like I did in Cyprus, Belfast or Palestine”?
So now is all the killing past out of his hands?
Has Tommy now freed all the “ innocent” lands?
Will our “Brave Tommy” not make one last stand.
With Bayonet fixed and rifle in hand?
Or will he through shouts for a world that is “free”
Have to fight on through the next Century?
Now having rubbed shoulders with Tommy I know
He’ll always get sent by them that don’t go!
Written in the main during a Scud attack one night in Feb 1991.
Finished on retirement from 25 years military service March 1998.
Proven right every time I hear the News!
Ivan Steel
If recalled to the colour would I answer that call?
Yes! Only those who have served can know why.
It’s the year Nineteen Hundred ring in the New Year.
All hope for the future with nothing to fear.
But even back then the rot had begun
For down in South Africa land of diamonds and sun.
It’s Atkins V Boer to the tac,tac,tac of the Maxim gun!
With the Boer war over, look forward we must
Peace to all men in “God King and Empire” we trust.
Then come nineteen fourteen the call comes again.
For old Tommy Atkins to bear up to the pain.
So “come my brave lads come fight for your land”.
Why? Coz they’ve murdered some Prince name of Ferdinand.
So off goes old Tommy bear witness he must,
to the carnage in trenches of mud blood and dust.
Now in modern warfare technologies not lost,
Tanks are invented and aircraft a must,
But what Tommy remembers a generation lost.
Now with the war to end wars all done and past
It’s into the Twenties the time goes so fast.
Is old Tommy forgotten? No he stands guard round the globe so the Empire may last.
“ Bit of active service son? Dublin or up the Pass”!
It’s into the thirties depressions not good,
still we got through it we knew that we would.
But listen lads listen and not far away,
A madman named Hitler is having his say.
Austria annexed we wonder what for,
then the sound of the Jackboot in the Rhineland once more.
So off down to Munich goes Neville that’s fine!
Comes back with a promise of “ peace in our time.”
But still into Poland the Jackboot does march.
Can mans thirst for blood never be parched?
Five long years inventions abound,
from Spitfires and Hurricanes to jet engine sounds.
But still through it all Tommy’s still asked to fight,
From Dunkirk through Normandy with Berlin in his sights.
Then peace comes again in mid forty - five
But only to those that wars left alive
At least peace will last in this modern world.
Because of the threat of “Nukes” being hurled.
Through this strange peace Tommy’s still had his fight.
From Korea to Kenya with all of his might,
Through Suez, Malaya and Aden a while.
Then off into Belfast a new fighting style,
So into the Eighties can this be wars end?
No down to the Falklands old Tommy they send.
Then into an era of new micro chips,
Of high tech tanks and cruise carrying ships.
At home on the news and headlined in papers,
Come stories to us of Arabian capers.
Still no reason for us to worry,
If war to and fro in Gulf regions should scurry.
Then into Kuwait Sadam sends his forces.
Now this could affect our oil resources!
“We can’t have that” our Government say
“Send Tommy Atkins, he’ll save the day”
“And we’ve got all this new technology”.
“We can use lots of that to the media’s glee”!
So in go the cruise and the bombs oh so smart!
They strike out Iraq’s industrial heart.
“And when we are finished we’ll send Tommy he’s bold”
So Tommy waits orders with a sweat that is cold.
His only real wish his girls hand to hold.
So after the millions have been spent
On these clever weapons of evil intent.
Forward once more Tommy must go
Again through the breach against his foe.
It’s the Nineteen Nineties this must be wars end!
Why there’s not even a cold war the budget to spend.
But them that’s in politics they know what’s best
“We can risk Tommy’s life in other folks mess”
So Tommy tabs streets in the Balkans his tactics to test.
Will poor Mr Atkins never find rest?
Peace keeping duties for Tommy, hailed a“NEW MODERN ROLE”.
“Saves on budget and keeps Tommy off the dole.”
“New peace keeping duties says Tommy, sounds fine”.
“So I won’t loose no mates like I did in Cyprus, Belfast or Palestine”?
So now is all the killing past out of his hands?
Has Tommy now freed all the “ innocent” lands?
Will our “Brave Tommy” not make one last stand.
With Bayonet fixed and rifle in hand?
Or will he through shouts for a world that is “free”
Have to fight on through the next Century?
Now having rubbed shoulders with Tommy I know
He’ll always get sent by them that don’t go!
Written in the main during a Scud attack one night in Feb 1991.
Finished on retirement from 25 years military service March 1998.
Proven right every time I hear the News!
Ivan Steel
If recalled to the colour would I answer that call?
Yes! Only those who have served can know why.