May 29, 2006
Tommy
On Memorial Day, it is easy to remember those who have died in the cause of freedom and democracy. It is relatively simple to put flowers (a red poppy of course) on military graves, to shed a tear for those who have died in that cause. But it is harder, oh so much harder, to pay tribute to those who actively serve in our military (are you listening Jack Murtha, John Kerry?) but the troops know. Oh, yes, they know!
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o'beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's ``Thank you, Mister Atkins,'' when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's ``Thank you, Mr. Atkins,'' when the band begins to play.I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy how's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country," when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!
This is, without doubt, one of the very best piece of literary work that reflects the feelings of real warriors who, far too often, receive short shrift from politicians, and the very populace that they ulitmately defend.
I have been to the Somme, Arras, Albert and many other battlefields all over the world, however, the specific battlefield and specific war are not the real issue. What the real issue is that troops ought not be committed unless the country is serious. If you're serious, then get on with it. Give troops the maximum support. Care for them. Insist that leaders make right decisions...and it they go badly....revise the plans. WW I is a classic example of staying with bad plans...and millions died as a result. It leaders continue badly, fire them. Troops deserve the very best leaders. Remember it EVEN TODAY that infantry are the ones who take most of the deaths.
Hurrah, for the quality troops....past and present.
Posted by tad at May 29, 2006 09:23 AM
Stone the crows! Nary a comment besides mine. Pity.
Posted by tad at May 30, 2006 04:52 PM
Thats a great one.
Posted by QuickRob at May 30, 2006 08:43 PM
Here's a random question for you... Why is it that the American military is a socialist institution? A soldier's wages are quite low, but benefits are great with free housing, free food, free health care, free education... Why does that work for the military but not for society as a whole?
Posted by e. nonee moose at May 31, 2006 03:59 PM
Moose, I'm short on time, but a quick answer is that the unique character of any military force demands uniformity and efficiency and doesn't allow any freedom of choices or tolerate complaints--all of which is known going in and understood to be temporary until the person returns to civilian life. No one in his right mind would accept those conditions in private life.
Posted by Woody at May 31, 2006 06:30 PM
Moose,
Comparing military service and socialism and concluding they are the same (or close enough).
There is the "minor" detail about the whole ethos of military service which I've not seen in any socialist program in the U.S. nor in countries that embrace socialism. Added to that it a pretty strict accountability process in the military which is largely lacking in socialist programs.
Posted by tad at June 3, 2006 07:33 AM
If you want to see how socialism, maybe well-meaning, doesn't work...go to the UK and see how far they've slid. It is truly sad. Hooligans and thugs abound. Most are under/uneducated. They just don't "get" that negative behaviors on their own part effect the greater society and ulitmately themselves. This is true, also in the U.S.
"Interested people are........interesting." I made that up myself, but it isn't copyrighted. Feel free to use it. Sadly, most people do not seem interested and thus fall in the lower economic levels. This does not have to be. Armed with knowledge, people can learn to make informed choices and really think.........which, in turn, tends to lead to a better life. Ask the next ten people you meet what the latest book was that they read. If you go into most any house or apartment, there will be a tv...often a big one and with mega channels. However, look around for books and magazines of the more learned nature. I rest my case, for a while, on this issue
And what does this have to do with Tommy...one thing leads to another. BTW, Welch soldiers are called Taffy, Scottish soldiers are called Gordy, Irish soldiers are/were called Paddy and Gurkhas were called Johnny. This is stuff you really need to know......right.
Cheers,
Posted by tad at June 3, 2006 11:05 AM
