But to stand an' be still to the "Birken'ead" drill is a damn tough bullet to chew,
And they done it, the Jollies—'er Majesty's Jollies—soldier an' sailor too.
Their work was done when it 'adn't begun, they was younger nor me an you;
Their choice it was plain between drownin in 'eaps an bein mashed by the screw,
An' they stood an' was still to the "Birken'ead" drill, soldier an sailor too!
We're most of us liars, we're 'arf of us thieves, an' the rest are as rank as can be,
But once in a while we can finish in style (which I 'ope it won't 'appen to me);
But it makes you think better o' you an' your friends an' the work you may 'ave to do
When you think o' the sinkin' "Victorier's" Jollies—soldier an' sailor too.
Now there isn't no room for to say you don't know—they 'ave settled it plain and true—