'The War'

‘The War’

1939 it was
The day that war broke out
A Shadow came across the land
And all the lights went out

Now let' s try to remember
Those little things in life
That seemed to be important
In the times of trouble and strife

Couldn't find your way around
Signposts were taken down
"Careless talk" cost lives you know
Beware of the underground

Remember all that funny food
Spam that came in tins
POM for mixing up as spuds
You'll eat anything when you're thin

The Black out started straight away
Streetlights were lit no more
Car lights they all had hoods on
Beams of light no more

Then we had the A R.P
Air Raid Precautions team
Watching for illegal lights
"Put that light out" they'd scream

Searchlights would sweep the sky at night
Locking for the Hun
They'd hold the plane in their beam of light
Lined up f or the Bofar gun

Remember the Air Raid Siren
The way it used to wail
We'd run like hell for the shelter
And end up paler than pale

Black market was the way of life
If you wanted luxury
Spivs who sold you Nylons
And maybe eggs for your tea

When we looked up in the sky
These monsters we would see
Big Balloons with fins on
There must have been a hundred and three

They were of course protection
From night time through till noon
Who can forget that wonderful sight
Of the famous Barrage Balloon

Remember all them flying bombs
With flames coming out of the rear
When one of our guns scored a hit
There'd be an almighty cheer

Then we had land army girls
To tend the farmers land
Dig for Victory was the theme
While they gave a helping hand

Barbed wire across the beaches
Children as evacuees
Women in munitions
Wardens in dungarees

The Yanks they came with Nylons
And chatted up the girls
With seams that ran right up their legs
Dead straight without no curls

Then we had the Home Guard
With gun and bayonet fixed
All lined up for Jerry
I'm sure they would have had him licked

Victory in Europe
From darkness came the light
Couples sang and danced all day
Made love all through the night

It didn't happen to me of course
I was far too young
My Dad he'd pat me on the head
And say don't worry Son
Your turn will come

Let us not forget today
The many lives we lost
The ones who made the sacrifice
And gave the ultimate cost

They gave their lives for freedom
So we can laugh and joke
The ones who went to war and lost
They were very special blokes

Copyright: George Holmes November 2004

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