As I went up by Ovillers
In mud and water cold to the knee,
There went three jeering, fleeing spectres,
That walked abreast and talked of me.
The first said, 'Here's a right brave soldier
That walks the dark unfearingly;
Soon he'll come back on a fine stretcher,
And laughing for a nice Blighty.'
The second, "Read his face, old comrade,
No kind of lucky chance I see;
One day he'll freeze in mud to the marrow,
Then look his last on Picardie.'
Though bitter the word of these first twain
Curses the third spat venomously;
'He'll stay untouched till the war's last dawning
Then live one hour of agony.'
Liars the first two were. Behold me
At sloping arms by one — two — three;
Waiting the time I shall discover
Whether the third spake verity.
Notes
Blighty — — — The British serviceman’s name for England and, in this context, any non-serious wound that would get the soldier returned to the UK.
Picardie — — — An area in Northern France
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
-
From guest AJ (contact)
Personally i thought a Blighty was an injury that relieved a soldier from the war but did not seriously impair him!
MOD MESSAGE
You are of course correct. That was the meaning in this context. -
-
Blighty
I imagine the name came from the solidiers themselves as this type of injury was serious enough to go home - back to Blighty!
-
-
Adding your comment:
