The Clancy Brothers
Tommy Makem
D-Day Dodgers
Those who were fighting in Italy were thoroughly annoyed to hear that someone of prominence, a foolish woman, Lady Astor of England, had disregarded both the tremendous effort by the Allied troops in Italy, and loss of life. She derisively named the troops in Italy ”The D-Day Dodgers”. The troops slammed back with their answer in the words of their new song, sung to the tune of Lili Marlene. The soldier who actually penned the song is unknown. The song was edited by a famous Canadian, Major Hamish Henderson. The song on CD is available from many websites, for example: amazon.ca
The D-Day Dodgers
Author Unknown
We are the D-Day Dodgers way out in Italy
Always on the vino, always on the spree
Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks
We live in Rome among the Yanks
We are the D-Day Dodgers in sunny ItalyWe landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay
The Jerries brought the bands out to greet us on the way
Showed us the sights and gave us tea
We all had girls and the beer was free
We are the D-Day Dodgers in sunny ItalyNaples and Cassino were taken in our stride
We didn't go to fight there, we just went for the ride
Anzio and Sangros they're just names
We only went to look for dames
We are the D-Day Dodgers in sunny ItalyDear Lady Astor, you think you know a lot
Standing on a platform and talking tommyrot
You're England's sweetheart and her pride
We think your mouth's too bloody wide
That's from your D-Day Dodgers in sunny ItalyLook around the mountains in the mud and rain
You'll see the scattered crosses, there's some that have no name
Heartbreak and toil and suffering gone
The boys beneath them slumber on
They are the D-Day Dodgers who'll stay in Italy
They are the D-Day Dodgers who'll stay in Italy
Stanley F. Farrow fought in the Italian campaign, and his old photo below is a sad reminder of some of the men lost in the Battle of Cassino.
Canadians graves (5th Armoured Division) in the Liri Valley immediately following the Battle of Cassino
