British War Songs

None of the topical war songs ground out by the composers of Charing Cross Road (London's Tin Pan Alley) has excited Britain's armed forces. Latest try is Thanks, Mister Roosevelt, whose chorus concludes:

And Franklin, by the way, please convey

Our congratulations to the folks in U.S.A.

We're saying, Thanks, Mister Roosevelt, we're proud of you

For the way you're helping us to carry on.

Some earlier tries:

> God Bless You, Mr. Chamberlain (We're all mighty proud of you. You look swell holding your umbrella. All the world loves a wonderful feller . . .). (This song is now out of print.)

> We're Gonna Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line.

> There'll Always Be An England.

> The King is Still in London.

> London, I Cannot Leave You.

> When They Sound the Last All Clear.

Since the beginning of the war, Britain's soldiers have doggedly caroled two onetime U.S. favorites, the Beer Barrel Polka and South of the Border. But lately a British song from World War I, Bless 'Em All, has been dusted off, is sung with a will by Britons of all classes. In waltz time, it goes:

Bless 'em all, bless 'em all, the long and the short and the tall.

Bless all the sergeants and double-u o* ones,

Bless all the corp'rals and their blinkin' sons. . . .

When no ladies are present, a four-letter male word is substituted for "bless."

*Warrant officers.

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