The Girl I Left Behind Me

I said: “I leave my bit of land-   In khaki they've entwined me,

I go abroad to lend a hand.” Said she: “My love,

I understand.

I will be true, and though we part A thousand years you hold my heart"-   The girl I left behind me.

I went away to fight the Huns-   No coward thought could bind me,

I sizzled n the tropic suns,

I faced the bayonets and the guns.

And when in daring deeds I shone One little woman spurred me on-   The girl I left behind me.

Out there, in grim Gallipoli.   Hard going they assigned me,

I pricked the Turk up from the sea;

I riddled him, he punctured me;

And, bleeding in my rags,

I said: “She'll meet me somewhere if I'm dead-   The girl I left behind me.

In France we broke the German's face-   They tried with gas to blind me.

In mud we bogged from front to base,

And dirt was ours, but not disgrace.

They carved me till I couldn't stand.

Said I “Now for the Lodden, and   The girl I left behind me.

I came ashore, and struck the track;   For dust you scarce could find me.

The dear girl gave no welcome back- Shed changed her names and state, alack! “You've been a time,

I must say,

Ned,

In finishing your old war.” Said   The girl I left behind me.

I flung a song up to the skies.   For battles gods designed me.

I think of Fifi's laughing eyes,

And Nami, dusk, but sweet and wise,

And chortle in my heart to find How very far I've left behind-   The girl I left behind me.