War, the Liberator, and Other Pieces/Recruiting

by Ewart Alan Mackintosh

Layout 2

 

RECRUITING

“LADS, you’re wanted, go and help,”
On the railway carriage wall
Stuck the poster, and I thought
Of the hands that penned the call.

Fat civilians wishing they
“Could go out and fight the Hun.”
Can’t you see them thanking God
That they’re over forty-one?

Girls with feathers, vulgar songs—
Washy verse on England’s need—
God—and don’t we damned well know
How the message ought to read.

“Lads, you’re wanted! over there,”
Shiver in the morning dew,
More poor devils like yourselves
Waiting to be killed by you.

Go and help to swell the names
In the casualty lists.
Help to make a column’s stuff
For the blasted journalists.

Help to keep them nice and safe
From the wicked German foe.
Don’t let him come over here!
“Lads, you’re wanted—out you go.”

•••••

There’s a better word than that,
Lads, and can’t you hear it come
From a million men that call
You to share their martyrdom,

Leave the harlots still to sing
Comic songs about the Hun,
Leave the fat old men to say
Now we’ve got them on the run.

Better twenty honest years
Than their dull three score and ten.
Lads, you’re wanted. Come and learn
To live and die with honest men.

You shall learn what men can do
If you will but pay the price,
Learn the gaiety and strength
In the gallant sacrifice.

Take your risk of life and death
Underneath the open sky.
Live clean or go out quick—
Lads, you’re wanted. Come and die.