Songs with meanings

‘Oh What a Lovely War’ A musical

What does to mean mean? ` ‘Lions led by donkeys’?

‘Lions led by donkeys’ is a phrase used by some people to describe the leadership of British soldiers by incompetent generals during World War I

The TV series ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’

The works of poets Wilfred Owen and Sigfried Sassoon ‘The General’ – Sigfried Sassoon ‘Good-morning, good-morning!’ the General said When we met him last week on our way to the line. Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead, And we're cursing his staff*1 for incompetent swine. ‘He's a cheery old card,’ grunted Harry to Jack As they slogged up to Arras*2 with rifle and pack.

But he did them both by his plan of attack.

• *1 The general’s staff/officers at headquarters • *2 A place in France where a battle was fought in 1917

‘Oh What a Lovely War’

• Devised by theatre workshop in 1963 • An upbeat, nostalgic and humorous show • Mixes elements of humour, with moving moments of reflection on the loses of WWI • Ties into the work of Bertolt Brecht, who wanted his audiences to critically reflect on performances ‘Oh It’s a Lovely War’

Oh, oh, oh, it's a lovely war, Who wouldn't be a soldier, eh? Oh, it's a shame to take the pay; As soon as reveille is gone, We feel just as heavy as lead, But we never get up till the sergeant Brings our breakfast up to bed.

Oh, oh, oh, it's a lovely war, What do we want with eggs and ham, When we've got plum and apple jam? Form fours, right turn, How shall we spend the money we earn? Oh, oh, oh, it's a lovely war. ‘Goodbye-ee’

Brother Bertie went away To do his bit the other day With a smile on his lips And his Lieutenant pips Upon his shoulders bright and gay. As the train moved out he said, ‘Remember me’ to all the birds! And he wagg'd his paw And went away to war Shouting out these perverted words:

‘Goodbye-ee, goodbye-ee, Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee! Tho' it's hard to part I know, I'll be tickled to death to go. Don't cry-ee, don't sigh-ee, There's a silver lining in the sky-ee, Bonsoir, old thing, cheer-i-o, chin, chin, Nap-poo, too-dle-oo, Goodbye-ee.’

Critiques of ‘Oh What a Lovely War’

• The show appealed to a varied cross section of the country and was well received by most • However, some people argue that it (and war poetry) unfairly suggests that the generals were incompetent and gives audiences an inaccurate image of WWI • Still divides opinion on it’s accuracy

The meaning of these songs…

• Nostalgia • Acknowledging the sense of humour of the soldiers • To highlight the futility of WWI • To encourage audiences to think/reflect on people of all nationalities caught up in war ‘When this lousy war is over…’

‘When this lousy war is over, No more soldiering for me, When I get my civvy clothes on Oh how happy I shall be’

‘Oh What a Lovely War’

Wilmslow High School

10th, 11th & 12th February 2015