THE RUHLEBEN SONG
FIRST VERSE
Oh we're roused up in the morning, when the day is gently dawning,
And we're put to bed before the night's begun,
And for many months on end, we have never seen a friend,
And we've lost the job our energy had won.
Yes, we've waited in the frost, for a parcel that got lost,
Or a letter that the postman never brings,
And it isn't beer and skittles, doing work on scanty victuals,
Yet every man can still get up and sing.
CHORUS
So line up boys and sing this chorus, shout this chorus all you can.
We want the people there, to hear in Leicester Square,
That we're the boys that never get downhearted.
Back, back, back again in England, then we'll fill the flowing cup,
And tell them clear and loud, of that Ruhleben crowd,
That always kept their pecker up.
SECOND VERSE
Oh, we send our love and kisses, to our sweetheart or our missus,
And we say the life we lead is grand.
And we stroll around the tea-'us, where the girls can sometimes see us,
And we say it's just as good as down the Strand.
Yet there sometimes comes a minute, whene we see there's nothing to it,
And the tale that we've been telling isn't true,
Down our spine there comes a-stealing, just a little homesick feeling,
Then I'll tell you boys the best thing you can do...
CHORUS
So line up boys and sing this chorus, shout this chorus all you can.
We want the people there, to hear in Leicester Square,
That we're the boys that never get downhearted.
Back, back, back again in England, then we'll fill the flowing cup,
And tell them clear and loud, of that Ruhleben crowd,
That always kept their pecker up.
