"From Home to the Trenches"
From Punch May 21, 1915
Sorry, it seems like twenty year, the while that you've been gone, and left me lonesome for you here. Trying to do my bit - eh, dear! - By keeping steady on.
I promised and I've meant to do. But now often at night I've been to blame, the times it blew like guns that answered guns, with you - bly??? you - amongst the fight.
But in the morning "Dear old fool", I've seemed to hear you say; "Mother, no need to fuss. Keep cool". Just like the cheeky brat from school you was the other day. You wasn't always quite so grand.
Once you was mighty glad, chased by a puppy dog, to stand behind your mummy, slip your hand in hers, the way you had.
Small son turned big, now that you've grown.
And in a real war, and set to face it all alone. I'm wild to run to guard my own, same as I did before.
You'd laugh at that, but keep your fun till fighting's through, and then flurry??? off back to where there's one all of a fuss to hear her son say "Dear old fool" again.