Something for the Weekend. Vera Lynn, the Sweetheart of the Forces for the Brits during World War II, singing Bless ‘Em All. This song became popular with US troops serving in Europe during World War II, and then throughout the World, and seemed appropriate to recall after a week in which we remembered D-Day and Midway.
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Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Holy decency, Batman!
There are _clean_ lyrics to this song? I’ve heard at least three versions, none start out “Bless”.
I am aware Thomas of the X rated versions which date from the twenties. The original song written in 1917 did indeed use the term “Bless”.
From my experience of military environment, Donald, I have no doubt that the x-rated versions came from the trenches. And that there also was plenty of black humour. But I am also sure that the soldiers were grateful for the songs and the entertainment, for all that. The thing soldiers dread most is being forgotten; every visit from an entertainer is a voice from home.
Kipling put it well long ago Fabio:
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;
Actually,Mr. McClarey, in the original version from 1917 it most definitely was not “Bless”, as related by the song’s composer, Fred Godfrey (who was my grandfather). See my website on him at http://www.fredgodfreysongs.ca, where the story of “Bless ‘Em All”, just one of Fred’s many hits, is told.
I stand corrected, although wikipedia indicates that there may be some controversy as to when the lyrics were written to the original song.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bless_'Em_All