Story Behind The Song

Harry Lamin was conscripted into the army in December 1916, leaving behind his young wife and 9 month old son, Willie. (My father) he served in terrible battles in Flanders (Belgium) including the notorious Passchendaele offensive. He finished the war in Italy, fighting against the Austro-Hungarian army. His account has made a successful blog and book. This song just needed to be written

Song Description

The song tries to capture the experiences of a very ordinary man (my Grandfather, Harry Lamin) caught up in the extraordinary and horrific events of World War 1. No one could have been prepared for the trench environment. No one would know what was happening to their loved one when he was overseas involved in the trench warfare of Flanders. The song repeats the theme "What you doing, Harry?

Lyrics

Harry's Song


What you doing Harry? When you coming Home?

What you doing, Harry? Feeling all alone
Bridge

No one told you how the trenches would be

No one told you of the sights, you would see.


Become a soldier, and fight the Hun,

We'll join up lads and we'll have some fun

Your country need you fighting there

Heroes all, you'll do your share

Chorus


You went away, they called you up

From home to hell is one short trip

Your wife, your son, you left everyone

Keep going Harry, we need you, back home

Chorus

The blood, the rats, the filth, the stench

You'll live or die in that dreadful trench

The mud, the lice, the stench of death

The Flanders trenches steal brave men's

breath,

Bridge2
Fritz is killing Tommy

Tommy slaughters Fritz

In better times, they'd be all be mates

But politicians decide, they need to, kill and hate




You're out the line and you have a bath,

You're clean, you sing, you have a laugh.

All is well, the lads are fine,

How many live to bath, another time

Chorus


The fighting's done and home you come,

Too many mates are dead and gone

They died to make the world more free,

Was it worth it? How can it ever be?

Chorus + bridge

What you doing Harry?