Re: A long time ago...

[Erik & Karen Dutton <edutton@worldnet.att.net>]

Poster: Erik & Karen Dutton <edutton@worldnet.att.net>

Erick and Sue wrote:
> Way back in the early 80's, I heard a song, an Ode to Woad...

What's the use of wearing braces,
  Vests and pants and boots with laces,
Spats or hats you buy in places,
  Down in Brompton Road?
What's the use of shirts of cotton,
  Studs that always get forgotten,
These affairs are simply rotten---
  Better far is woad!
Woad's the stuff to show, men--
  Woad to scare your foemen--
Boil it to a brilliant blue
  And rub it on your back and your abdomen.
Ancient Britons never hit on
  Anything as good as woad to fit on
Neck or knees or where you sit on--
  Tailors, you be blowed!

Romans came across the Channel,
  All wrapped up in tin and flannel;
Half a pint of woad per man'll
  Clothe us more than these!
Saxons, you may stay your stitches
  Building beds for bugs in breeches,
We have woad to clothe us, which is
  Not a nest for fleas.
Romans, keep your armour,
  Saxons, your pyjamas,
Hairy coats were meant for goats,
  Gorilla, goats, retriever dogs and llamas.
Tramp up Snowdon with our woad on,
  Never mind if we get rained or snowed on,
Never want a button sewed on,
  Go it, Ancient B's!
                         W. Hope-Jones

Written about 1921 for the Eton College Boy Scouts, according to my
source.

-- 
In service,
Rhodri ap Hywel
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