MR. AEROPLANE
(With compliments to the R.N.A.S. in the Dardanelles)
Hurrah for Mr. Aeroplane,
A-sailin’ in the blue;
I’m glad to see you up again—
Me compliments to you.
I’m Tommy Brown, Australian,
Who’s fightin’ here on land;
An’, strike me, Mr. Flyin’ Man,
I’d like to shake your hand.
Sometimes I feel I’d like to streak
Beside you in the sky;
An’ then my nerves go all a-shake
To think you’re up so high.
By jingo! how your bloomin’ grit
Must make old Jacko dance;
An’ don’t he fuss to make a hit,
When given half a chance.
But on you go inquirin’,
As if the job were fun,
An’ Jacko was a-firin’
A nipper’s toy popgun.
You give the battleships the wink,
They gets their guns to bear;
An’ then—oh, strike me blue an’ pink—
Then don’t the Turkies swear!
Ah, well—beyond the hills you go;
We wish you best o’ luck.
Remember, all the boys below
Enjoy your bloomin’ pluck.
H. G. Garland,
16th Aust. Battalion.
