BAVARIAN TRENCH SONG.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16081, 30 September 1916, Page 3

BAVARIAN TRENCH SONG.

TOILING FOB PRUSSIA. A raong the "quantity of letters and papers collected . in: German .trenches before Verdun was an interesting diary kept by a Bavarian corporal nam-,-el S-inktus. It contains a poem entitled "jSigging Song." which does nob suggest the'most kindly relationship between Bavarians and .Prussians...-.-.-

'.The following \s a rough translation of the whole poem:— CVme on, all yon fellows, let each take his spade, For tlie treacli-ivork that we must be plying, An underground dug-out must also be f made, As a place for the l'russ'an to lie in; Wherever the lighting is done under earth, Bavarians are wanted and have, too, their- worth. (Repeat). The gallant Bavarians—this is their late; "■■--»■■■.■ ■■■■■;■' Ad everyone's pipe to be jigging,; While the lazy-bone Prussian reposes in state, The Bavarian's delving and digging; He's kept at it still—with no chance . of escape; For chore must be commands, and there must "do red tape. -v The Prussian, is fed like an ox in a stall, Or his gullet would split with his gaping. Bur. the hungry Bavarian gets nothing at all, . : 7is the veriest fast that he's keeping; Bavarian, then what will happen to you, With nothing ■ but digging and dog's work to do ? 'Flic Frenchman, he doth the Bavarian . dread, Tie takes good care not? to attack him : But feeing the skunk of a Prussian instead, He's ready to go in and whack him ; Out of slio trenches the Prussians must o'.en r—"Why didn't they put us Bavarians there? So long live the gallant Bavarian corps, To them be a coat of arms given ; Two shovels laid crosswise, a pickaxe before, And, as a supporter, a bavin— The best of all badges for each common mau, ' • Who disrs when he's got to, and digs • when hel can. L . .