The Girl I Left Behind Me

I said: “I leave my bit of land-

  In khaki they've entwined me,

I go abroad to lend a hand.”

Said she: “My love, I understand.

I will be true, and though we part

A thousand years you hold my heart"-

  The girl I left behind me.

I went away to fight the Huns-

  No coward thought could bind me,

I sizzled n the tropic suns,

I faced the bayonets and the guns.

And when in daring deeds I shone

One little woman spurred me on-

  The girl I left behind me.

Out there, in grim Gallipoli.

  Hard going they assigned me,

I pricked the Turk up from the sea;

I riddled him, he punctured me;

And, bleeding in my rags, I said:

“She'll meet me somewhere if I'm dead-

  The girl I left behind me.

In France we broke the German's face-

  They tried with gas to blind me.

In mud we bogged from front to base,

And dirt was ours, but not disgrace.

They carved me till I couldn't stand.

Said I “Now for the Lodden, and

  The girl I left behind me.

I came ashore, and struck the track;

  For dust you scarce could find me.

The dear girl gave no welcome back-

Shed changed her names and state, alack!

“You've been a time, I must say, Ned,

In finishing your old war.” Said

  The girl I left behind me.

I flung a song up to the skies.

  For battles gods designed me.

I think of Fifi's laughing eyes,

And Nami, dusk, but sweet and wise,

And chortle in my heart to find

How very far I've left behind-

  The girl I left behind me.