" Soldiers Dying Song" written by Lieutenant J.E. Hughes of the 4th R.W.F.

[Genesis]

I am posting this because whilst it was not written by a member of the Regiment it was written in the notebook of Private Joseph B. Ross of the D Coy 1/6 Manchester Regiment.

Soldiers Dying Song

“Life is Ebbing and with Blood the Ground I Drench”
The following verses were composed by Lieutenant J.E. Hughes of the 4th R.W.F. shortly before he died at La Bassee.

I’m lying under cover in a damp & dirty trench,
Writing high explosive lines to some believing wench,
Of deeds of might and valour I’ve continually done:
How I led a charge at midnight ,how I grapple with the Huns.
But its all imagination, and my conscience gives a wrench,
For I’m lying under cover in a damp and dirty trench.

I’m lying under cover in a damp and dirty trench,
Now the battle is beginning, we’re defending with the French,
It is all a deafening thunder, and the shrapnel’s bursting low,
For the gunners in their myriads are attacking us& so,
We are waiting to receive them,our revengeful thirst to quench
As I’m lying under cover in a damp and dirty trench.

I’m lying under cover in a damp and dirty trench,
Every breath becomes a torture ,every movement now a wrench.
Yes,we fought as we had hoped to ,and we did not flinch or quail,
And they are telling me so kindly I made good and did not fail,
But my life is slowly ebbing, and the ground with blood I drench,
As I’m lying under cover in a damp and dirty trench

La Bassee

[sphinx]

That is really worthy of publication.

Amazing words

thankyou