Schwaben Redoubt

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