The regimental jackdaw 'as a bright an' beady eye;
'E sits upon the tent-pole an' 'e winks both bold an' sly:
'E says: "You bloomin' ediot, you, to go an' get C.B.!"
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!
The regimental jackdaw, 'e is like a bloomin' lord,
'E 'ops ot when 'e thinks 'e will, an' no one speaks a word:
'E takes 'is 'ook without no pass, 'e don't come 'ome to tea,
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!
The regimental jackdaw, 'e can always speak 'is mind:
'E tells the Colonel what 'e thinks when thus 'e feels inclined,
'E sauces off the Adjutant as 'andy as can be,
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!
The regimental jackdaw, 'e 's the jolliest thing I've seen,
'E 'as no pack to carry an' 'e 'as no pipe to clean,
'E 's breakin' rules the 'ole day long an' never gets C.B.
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!
Notes
From SMALL CRAFT: Sailor Ballads and Chantys, edited by Cicely Fox Smith, published by George H. Doran Co., New York, US, © 1919, pp. 53-54. First published in PUNCH magazine, Volume 151, November 15, 1916, p. 342, as "The Happy Defaulter."
Another World War 1 era poem, but in a lighter vein than most.
"C.B." is soldier slang for being confined to barracks.
"sauces off the adjutant" is most likely to refer to insulting the adjutant rather than mimicing him. [JS]
Charley Noble
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