THE OLD SOLDIER'S TIE
by
Billy Bennett

'Twas in the lounge of a swell hotel
As the shades of evening passed
Young bloods were making whoopee
And the drinks came thick and fast.

No one was actually blotto
One or two perhaps on the fringe
They said it was somebody's birthday
Well, any excuse for a binge.

They were getting rough and playful
Like they do in their college rags
They were trying to sing 'Sweet Adeline'
And laughing at feeble gags.

When into their midst came a workman
He walked to the bar straight away
He called for a drink, and he got one
What's more he'd the money to pay.

His working coat was grimy
His dungarees weren't new
And round his neck was a greasy old tie
'Twas a zig-zag red on blue.

This attracted the young bloods' attention
And one of them shouted, "Oh my
If it isn't my college chum, Percy
And he's wearing the old school tie."

"He must be an Old Borstalian."
Was the wisecrack one got off his chest
"Oh no, he's a Doctor Barnado."
Was a similar time-honoured jest.

The workman gave a cynical smile,
As he finished his glass of brewers
Then he said, "No, boys, that tie belongs
To a much harder school than yours."

"It's the tie of the Tope Khana Wallahs
You don't understand, of course -
All right I'll explain - Artillery, me,
'L' battery, Royal Horse,

When you were at kindergarten.
Or in the park feeding the swans
I was out with the 'Old Contemptibles'
On that epic retreat from Mons.

September the first at Nery
Outnumbered seven to one
We held the advance of the Germans
Until every man fell at his gun.

A battery with six survivors
V.C.'s - Yes, one or two
Did I get one?" he asked as he buttoned his coat
Well, that's nothing to do with you.

I reckon I cheated the devil
Though some bloody fine men lost the toss
In that hell where there's nigh on a million
Laid under a plain wooden cross.

Well, boys, I think I'll be going." he said
As he made for the door of the lounge
"No. thank you, I don't want another
I didn't come in on the scrounge.

And you'll pardon my boasting my colours
They're something money can't buy
And it's not what you're worth, it's the luck of your birth
That you're wearing an old school tie.