D-Day Dodgers (by Hamish Henderson) Raymond Crooke

A song Raymond recorded in 2009. This song was inspired by an apocryphal remark supposed to have been made by Lady Astor, accusing the Eighth Army of avoiding taking part in the Normandy invasions. Nancy, Lady Astor, was Britain's first woman MP and an American-born Tory matron who campaigned tirelessly against sex and drink. In October 1944 she was a member of an all-party Parliament delegation that visited Italy to study the troops' living conditions. She was said to have not only described the troops as 'D-Day Dodgers', but described them as drunken and dissolute and ridden with VD from the Italian brothels, to the extent that they should be made to wear yellow arm-bands when on leave as a warning to the good women of Britain to keep away from them. Lady Astor always denied ever having made any such remarks and there is indeed no record of them. This didn't stop just about every British serviceman in Italy from believing she did say it, and seeing her comments as typical of the slurs being made against them back home. The song was put together by Hamish Henderson, using verses that were already circulating. Hearing a verse sung to the tune of "Lili Marlene" he grouped the verses together into the song's present form. Some people thought the last verse was too sentimental and out of character with the rest of the song, but Henderson believed that, coming after the Lady Astor verse, it is a very powerful ending. I think he was right about that. Lyrics and chords: .. C..................................... F.......... G7 We're the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy – ............................................................. C Always on the vino, always on the spree. F................................ G7 Eighth Army skivers and their tanks ........................... C We go to war in ties like swanks,. ........................ G7............................ G7.......... C For we are the D-Day Dodgers, out here in Italy. We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay, Jerry brought his bands out to cheer us on our way Showed us the sights and gave us tea,. We all sang songs, the beer was free. For we are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. Naples and Cassino were taken in our stride We did not have to fight there. We just went for the ride. Anzio and Sangro are just names. We only went to look for dames. For we are the D-Day Dodgers, over here in Italy. On our way to Florence we had a lovely time. We drove a bus fromo Rimini right through the Gothic Line. Then to Bologna we did go. And went bathing in the Po. For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that D-Day dodged. We hear the boys un France are going home on leave. After six months service. Such a shame they’re not relieved. And we’re told to catty on a few more years Because our wives don’t shed no tears, For we are the D-Day Dodgers, in sunny Italy. Once we had a blue light that we were going home Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam. Then somebody said in France you'll fight. We said “**** that; we'll just sit tight, For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that D-Day dodged. Now Lady Astor, you think you know a lot, Standing on a platform and talking Tommy rot. Dear England’s sweetheart and her pride We think your mouth's too bloody wide. From the D-Day Dodgers, in Sunny Italy. Look around the hillsides, through the mist and rain See the scattered crosses, some that bear no name. Heartbreak, and toil and suffering gone The lads beneath, they slumber on. They are the D-Day Dodgers, who'll stay in Italy.