Schwaben Redoubt - Ricky Warwick

Billy Drennan lost his sash

In a house of ill repute

Liam Kelly found it three days later

With his flute

Billy call me Billy

Liam call me Liam

Just looking for some comfort

In the French mid summer’s rain

Billy call me Billy

Liam call me Liam

They take on the King’s shilling

And climbed aboard the train

They never tasted cognac

They never crossed the sea

They’d never left their money

By the gas lamp in the sea

It doesn’t look like Sligo

Or Belfast Sandy Row

It looks like Hades Billy boy

It’s nearly time to go

I’m from Dublin’s Northside Bill

And you’re from Belfast South

If we were both back home

Well I’d smack you in the mouth

But I just can’t stop the shakin'

All I taste is fear

And if I’m being Bill

I want my mother here

It doesn’t look like Sligo

Or Belfast Sandy Row

It looks like Hades Billy boy

It’s nearly time to go

Billy call me Billy

Liam call me Liam

Stood up right both together

And stared across the plain

Down the land there’s shouting

The panic and the prayers

Billy rolled his sash up

Gets it between the layers

So Liam said the Rosary

And shook young Billy’s hand

And pushed the bayonet into place

To man and no man’s land

If we were both back home Liam

I’d punch you in the nose

Stay close to me mo chara

When that final whistle blows

It doesn’t look like Sligo

Or Belfast Sandy row

It looks like Hades Billy boy

It’s nearly time to go

Billy Drennan lost his life

In the foxholes of the Somme

Liam Kelly followed him

Cut down by gun and bomb

Billy call me Billy

Liam call me Liam

Walked into death together

Aw but sure what’s in the name

It doesn’t look like Sligo

Or Belfast Sandy Row

It looks like Hades Liam lad

And now it’s time to go

It doesn’t look like Sligo

Or Belfast Sandy Row

It looks like Hades Billy boy

And Now it’s time to go

Now it’s time to go