D-DAY DODGERS
(Compiled by Major Hamish Henderson, 51st Highland Division - 1944)


Ian Campbell Folk Group - 1966
Bill Barclay - 1976
Michael McCann - 1999
Also recorded by: Ian Robb; Ewan McColl; 
The Clancy Brothers; Pete Seeger.


(After the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944, the Allied troops in Italy, 
in a jest of very dubious taste, became known as the "D-Day Dodgers". The nickname, 
supposedly first uttered by British Parliamentarian, Lady Astor, implied that the 
troops in Italy were avoiding the "real" war in France. Most considered the name 
to be an unwarrented slur and, consequently, an extremely clever and sarcastic 
response came about in the words of this song. It was set to the catchy tune of the 
famous wartime song, Lili Marlène, which was well-known to the fighting men. There 
are many and slightly differing versions, but this version is as ccomplete as is 
possible to find.)


There is a song the Eighth Army used to sing,
Marching through the desert, marching with a swing
But now they're on a different game
Although the tune is still the same
The words have all been altered,
The words we're singing still...

We're the D-Day Dodgers, here in Italy
Drinking all the vino, always on a spree
We didn't land with Eisenhower
And so they think we're just a shower
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We're the D-Day dodgers, out here in Italy
Always drinking vino, always on a spree
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We go to war in ties, like swanks
We are the D-Day Dodgers
Way out in Italy

Here's to Lady Astor, our pin up girl out here
She's the dear old lady, who sends us such good beer
And when we get our Astor band
We'll be the proudest in the land
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We landed in Salerno, a holiday with pay
Jerry brought the band out to cheer us on our way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea
We all sang songs, the beer was free
To welcome D-Day Dodgers
To sunny Italy

Salerno and Cassino, were taken in our stride
We didn't go to fight there, we went there for the ride
Anzio and Sanzio were just names
We only went to look for dames
The artful D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Around Lake Trasimano, we had a lovely time
Bags of wine and women, they didn't cost a dime
Base wallahs, amgot and the Yanks
All stayed in Rome to dodge the tanks
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

We stayed a week in Florence, polished off the wine
Then thumbed our way to Rimini, through the Gothic Line
Soon to Bologna we will go
When Jerry's gone across the Po
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
The lads that D-Day dodged

We hear the boys in France are going home on leave
After six months service, it's a shame they're not relieved
But we can carry on out here
For what may be a few more years
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Once we heard a rumour we were going home
Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam
Then someone said in France you'll fight
We answered: "No, we'll just sit tight!"
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
The lads that D-Day dodged

When the war is over and we've done our bit
Climbing over mountains, through mud and sleet and ----,
Then we will all be sent out east
Till B.L.A. have been released
For we're the D-Day Dodgers,
Out here in Italy.

Forgotten by the many, remembered by the few
We'd our armistice when an armestice was new
One million Germans gave up to us
We finished our war without much fuss
For we're the D-Day Dodgers
Out here in Italy

Dearest Lady Astor, you think you're mighty hot
Standing on the platform, talking tommyrot
Dear England's sweetheart and her pride
We think your mouth's too bleedin' wide
>From all the D-Day Dodgers
In sunny Italy

If you look around the mountains in the mud and rain
You'll find scattered crosses, some which bear no name
Heart break and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
For they're the D-Day Dodgers
Who stayed in Italy









(Contributed by Mel - June 2004)