大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Paul Trainer of Torbay Library Services on behalf of Benita Cumming, daughter of Ben Cumming and has been added to the site with her permission. Ms Cumming fully understands the site's Terms and Conditions.

For the full context of this song, refer to Ben Cumming's War - Chapter 3: Sicily and Italy, also on this site.

"The D-Day Dodgers"
Sung to the tune of 'Lili Marlene'

Dedicated to the gallant comrades and unknown warriors of the Eighth Army, who fought at: El Alamein, El Agheila, Tripoli, Mureth Tunis, Sicily, Reggia, Sangro, Vollurno, Anzio, Cassino, Gothic line, Senio, Po River, Austria.

We are the "D-Day" Dodgers way out in Italy,
Always drinking vino, always on the spree.
Eighth Army skyvers and the Yanks,
Sixth Armoured Divi with their tanks
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
Jerry brought the bank down to cheer us on our way,
We all sang songs, and the beer was free
We kissed all the girls in Papoli
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

The Volturno and Cassino were taken in our stride,
We didn't go to fight there, we just went for the ride!
Anzio and Sangro were all forlorn,
We didn't do a thing, from dusk till dawn,
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

On our way to Florence we had a lovely time,
We ran a bus to Rimini, through the Gothic Line,
Winter sports and the snow,
Then we went bathing in the Po,
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

We hope the boys in France will soon get home on leave,
After six months service, it's a shame they are not relieved,
But we'll carry on for several years,
Because our wives don't shed many tears,
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

Once we had a blue light, we were going home,
Back to dear Old Blighty, never more to roam,
Then someone whispered, "In France you'll fight",
We said, "Not that, we'll just sit tight",
For we are the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

Oh, Lady Astor, listen please to us,
Don't stand on a platform and make a lot of fuss,
You're the nations sweetheart, the nations pride,
But your lovely mouth is far too wide,
That's from the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

(The last verse to be sung with tears in your eyes, and vino at the lips.)

If you look around the mountains, through the mud and rain,
You'll find battered crosses, some which bear no name,
Heartbreak, toil and suffering gone,
The boys beneath, they slumber on,
They were the D-Day Dodgers, the lads that dodged D-Day.

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