THE VACANT RANKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11686, 1 May 1916, Page 4

THE VACANT RANKS.

The following verses were written by a wounded man. on one of tho troopships. On the road to Tipperary There's a road that's vacant still, There's a rifle lying silent, There's a uniform to fill; True, at home they'll hate to loso you, But the march will soon begin On the road! to Tipperary, With the Army to Berlin. On the Morris chairs of clubland Are vou content to stay? While the others guard your honour, 'While the Germans boast "The Day"? For your King and country need you, And we want to count you in On the march to Tipperary, With our Army to Berlin. Have you seen tho lonely crosses Of the boys who'll ne'er come home? Will you idlo while they're calling? Will you leave them all alone? For they're calling, calling, calling, And they want you there to sing On the road to Tipperary, With the Army to Berlin. When from Mons they fought each footstep, When their lips with pain, were dumb, 'Twas the. hope that held their trenches, Never doubting you would come; Through the frozen hell of winter, 'Midst the shrapnel's racking din, They have waited, never fearing You would join them at Berlin. On the road "to Tipperary There's a crimson debt to pay; There's a land of awful darkness, Patient faces, tired and erey; Sobbing women, ruined girlhood, Strew the trail of cultured sin, Can yon hear the call of vengeanceP Won't you join us to Berlin? On the road to Tipperary Sleep the boys whose day is done; Don't you hear the voices calling To complete their work begun ? There are ghostly fingers beckoning, There are victories yet to win On the road to Tipperary, With the army to Berlin. On the road to Tipperary, When the boys come home at last, Won't you wish that you had 'listed Ere Old England's call had passed? But the Gate of Mnndhood's open; Your part can still begin On tho road to Tipperary, With the Army to Berlin.