Guest Trefcon Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 From 'A Yeoman's Letters', P.T. Ross. Trooper, Boer War. Did I ever use the bay'nit, sir? In the far off Transvaal War, Where I fought for Queen and country, sir, Against the wily Boer. Aye, many a time and oft, sir, I've bared the trusty blade, And blessed the dear old Homeland, sir, Where it was carefully made. • Chorus Then here's to the British bay'nit Made of Sheffield steel, And here's to the men who bore it - Stalwart men and leal. You notice the dents on the edge, sir At Bronkhurst Spruit they were done; I was getting a door for a fire, For out of wood we had run. I was smiting hard at the door, sir, Or rafter, I'm not sure which, When I struck on an iron screw, sir, And the bay'nit got this niche. 'Tis my mighty Excalibur, sir, I've use it in joy and grief, For digging up many a tater, Or opening bully beef. I have used it for breaking wire, Making tents 'gainst rain and sun; I have used it as a hoof-pick, In a hundred ways and one. Oh, how did the point get blunted, sir? I was driving it home As a picketing peg for my horse, So that he should not roam. I drove it in a little, sir, And then in my haste, alas, I stubbed the point on a rock, sir, Some inches below the grass. You ask if it e'er took a life, sir? Aye, I mind the time full well; I had spotted him by a farm, sir, And went for him with a yell. He tried to escape me hard, sir, But I plunged it in his side, And there by his own backyard, sir, A healthy porker died. But did I draw it in action? You ask me roughly now. Yes, we were taking a kopje, The foe were on the brow. We drew and fixed our bay'nits, The sun shone on the steel: Death to the sniping beggars We were about to deal. Then, sweating and a-puffing, We scaled the rocky heights, But when we reaches the top, sir, The foe was out of sight. Has it e'er drawn human blood? Yes once, I grieve to say; It was not in a battle, Or any bloody fray; 'Twas just outside Pretoria, The deed was never meant, I slipped and fell on the point, sir, 'Twas quite by accident. • Chorus Then here's to the British bay'nit Made of Sheffield steel, And here's to the men who bore it - Stalwart men and leal. And here's to the Millennium, The time of peaceful peace, When neighbours shall love each other, And wicked wars shall cease. From "A Yeoman's Letters," PT Ross, 1901 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl1867 Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Fantastic ! It's a bit Kiplingesque (as they say down Attercliffe) don't you think? . Can't help thinking about Cprl Jones lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trefcon Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I was going to put 'They dont' like it up em' ! in the title ! Dean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Thanks for that Dean, Its great ! I am going to use it at our Retired Men's Forum Poetry morning next month. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trefcon Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Hope they enjoy it johnm. Dean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl1867 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 And whilst the soldiers were giving them what for on the battlefield- back home the bosses were doing the same to the workers! http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons...effield-workmen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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