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A Call to Arms

from A Deserter's Tale by The Id

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about

Deserter feels anxious, exhilarated, eager to do what's right for England.

He gets on the bus to town but, when questioned as to his destination by the driver, is let off paying for his fare "no, you're going to fight for your country lad..."

The respect shown in each passenger's eyes is palpable. Deserter's chest swells as he nears the market. A queue further than the eye can see waiting to enlist. This could take quite a while...

..."Come on lads, join the show!" Shouts a gung-ho sergeant major, proud moustache twitching at each syllable as Deserter approaches one of the makeshift tables hosted by an officer.

"Name, age", Deserter gives his name and then tells the fateful lie that will eventually lead to his demise...19.

With shaking excitement Deserter signs his life away...

"Shoulders back boy! You're in the army now...left, right, left..." the group of ragtag individuals marches off in the distance, singing 'it's a long way to Tipperary'...first to basic training and then to war.

As he marches off Deserter takes in all of the pictures of Kitchener, plastered everywhere around the town. They were all pointing at him, ‘Your Country Needs You!’. Right now they seem enticing, almost inviting but, in time, they were to take on new meaning.

lyrics

Left right Left right...
Keep your shoulders back boy!

Come on lads
It's time to go
Sign the form and
Join the show

Time to give
The Hun what-for
Come on boys 
Let's go to war!

Say hello to
Discipline
We've got a fight
To go and win

Come along
Don't muck about
Let's wave the flag
And shout the shout

With a call to arms 
We'll fight the fight 
We'll show the Hun who's 
Wrong and right

A bloody nose
Will teach him well
We'll deal it out
With bomb and shell

Left right left right...

Claim your rations
Be well-fed
With bully beef
And jam and bread

Tommies know
How to survive
So join up now
And feel alive!

Come and face
A few whizz-bangs
Satisfy 
Your hunger pangs

For fisticuffs
With n'er do wells
Let's go and send
The Hun to hell

With a call to arms 
We'll put things right
We'll fly the flag
And fight the fight 

A bloody nose
Will teach him good
Intentions
Will be understood

Deserter's thoughts….
Am I right or am I wrong
Will joining up 
Mean that I belong?
With my best friend here 
Nothing can go wrong?

Come on lads 
Let's do what's right
An end to this
Is now in sight

A chance for us to 
Set things true 
A peaceful end
For me and you 

So get yer rifle
And tin hat
Come along 
Let's chew the fat

All as one 
Up to the front
To deal a blow
Both sharp and blunt

But with a call to arms 
We'll bash the Bosche 
We'll put an end
To all this tosh

A bloody nose
Will teach them right they'll 
Learn the hell that
Comes from Blighty

Left right left right
Chests out
You're in the army boys
Come on...
Shoulder arms!

credits

from A Deserter's Tale, released April 30, 2016

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The Id Maidstone, UK

The Id are a band who have never met.

We collaborate online as band members live in Canada, Norway, Japan and the U.K.

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