MARCHING SONGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20137, 5 January 1940, Page 5

MARCHING SONGS

PREFERENCE OF TROOPS OLD AIRS FAVOURED “Boomps -a - Daisy” and similar modern airs seem to have acquired little currency among the troops of the Second New Zealand Division as marching songs. As the men swung along through the subway on to the Auckland railway platform at the end of their march through the city on Wednesday they burst into fullthroated chorus, and their songs were very largely those of the last war. It was a rousing scene as the troops marched out on to the platforms singing lustily and showing no sign of fatigue after their parade and march. Many had acquired flags en route and had stuck them in the ends of their rifles, and there was an air of informality greater than during the public portion of the march.

"It’s a Long Way to Tipperary" still seemed to hold pride of place among marching songs. Some units sang farewell to Ilopuhopu or Papakura instead of Piccadilly, and there were other amendments from the original. “Keep the Home Fires Burning.” “Pack Up Your Troubles,” some of the many versions of "John Brown’s Body,” and "There’s a Long, Long' Trail” show no diminution in popularity among the New Zealand soldiers of to-day. Other songs chosen by the various units were “All Good Pals and Joll.v Good Company," “We’re Here Because We’re Here” and "Landlord Have You Any Good Wine.” Among the few comparatively “modern” airs were “The Lambeth Walk” and “Show Me the Way to Go Home.”