The D-Day Dodgers



(Words: Hamish Henderson. Tune: Lili Marlene. Recorded, Ewan

MacColl, Folkways British Army Songs)



We're the D-Day Dodgers, way off in Italy

Always on the vino, always on the spree;

Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks,

We live in Rome, among the Yanks.

We are the D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy;(2X)



We landed in Salerno, a holiday with pay,

The Jerries brought the bands 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.



Naples and Casino were taken in our stride,

We didn't go to fight there, we went just for the ride.

Anzio and Sangro were just names,

We only went to look for dames

The artful D-Day Dodgers, way out in Italy.



Dear Lady Astor, you think you're mighty hot,

Standing on the platform, talking tommyrot.

You're England's sweetheart and her pride

We think your mouth's too bleeding wide.

We are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy.



Look around the mountains, in the mud and rain,

You'll find the scattered crosses, some that have no name.

Heartbreak and toil and suffering gone,

The boys beneath them slumber on.

They are the D-Day Dodgers who stay in Italy.



Note: An apocryphal story --- that of Lady Astor accusing the

British forces in Italy of being "D-Day Dodgers" --- was widely

circulated. This song was a non-apocryphal response. RG



@war

recorded by Clancy Brothers on Home Boys Home

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