The Backsheesh Sergeant

The Backsheesh Sergeant

Original Text
Soldier Songs From Anzac (Melbourne: The Specialty Press Pty. Ltd., 1915): 39-40.
1’E’s a sneakin’ smoogin’ blighter, an’ ’e’ll never make a fighter,
2        Unless it’s ’gainst a wounded chap like me;
3’E’s a cringin’, crawlin’ ’ound, an’ a coward, I’ll be bound,
4An’ I don’t know why ’e crossed the bloomin’ sea.
5Give ’im some woollen socks, wrap some waddin’ round ’is ’ocks,
6        An’ send ’im to the bloomin’ firin’ line;
7That will stop ’is bally brag, an’ ’is tongue will cease ter wag,
8        ’Cause me cobbers don’t sight rifles extra fine.
9’Is stripes are all Backsheesh, an’ ’is feet are in a freeze,
10        ’Cause ’is regiment soon is leavin’ for the front;
11’Is knees they knock tergether, like a ship in squally weather,
12        ’Cause ’e isn’t game to bear the battle’s brunt.
13’E thinks ’e is a bloomin’ knut, with all ’is clobber tailor-cut,
14        An’ boots polished with a lovely “Kiwi” shine;
15Still ’e ’asn’t got a gun, an’ ’e’s only out for fun,
16        ’Cause ’e never meant to reach the “firin’ line.”
17’E thinks that ’e’s a bloomin’ ’ead, yet ’e isn’t goin’ to face the lead,
18        Unabashed, ’e says that ’ere ’e’s goin’ ter stay;
19’E’s bluffed by Mr. Turk, so in Egypt ’ere ’e’ll lurk,
20        Swagger, bounce, and draw ’is bloomin’ pay.
21’E’s never done no fightin’ still ’e does ’is share o’ skitin,
22        An’ writes ’ome an’ says ’e can’t be spared to go;
23As a soldier ’e’s a failure, a disgrace to old Australia,
24        He’s white-livered, and ’is ’eart’s as cold as snow.
25’E’s a sergeant with cold feet, an’ “Base Details” is ’is beat,
26        What ’e wants to do ’e thinks that ’e can do;
27Though ’is cobbers are outmanned, ’e ’angs about the sand—
28        Mister Backsheesh Sergeant, ’ere’s my best respects to you.

Notes

1] smoogin’: fawning, flattering. backsheesh: beggary (from the Turkish word for “tip” or “gratuity”). Back to Line
7] bally: bloody. ter: to. Back to Line
8] cobbers: mates, buddies. Back to Line
13] knut: Fop. clobber: clothing Back to Line
14] “Kiwi”: brand-name of boot polish in Australia and New Zealand. Back to Line
20] bounce: bluster. Back to Line
21] skitin: bragging. Back to Line
25] “Base Details”: safe employment at the base rather than at the front line. Back to Line
27] sand: sugar. Back to Line
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
Rhyme
abcb
Form
quatrains