Christchurch
(Hitchin) Scouts' and Guides' virtual camp fire
In praise of woad (What's the use of wearing braces?)
1. What's the use of wearing braces Vests and pants and boots with laces Spats or hats you buy in places Down the Brompton Road? 2. What's the use of shirts of cotton Studs that always get forgotten? These affairs are simply rotten Better far is woad! 3. Woad's the stuff to show men Woad to scare your foe men Boil it to a brilliant hue And rub it on your back and your abdomen 4. Ancient Briton never did hit on Anything as good as woad to fit on Neck or knees or where you sit on Tailors you be blowed! 5. Romans came across the Channel All dressed up in tin and flannel Half a pint of woad per man'll Dress us more than these 6. Saxons you can waste your stitches Building beds for bugs in britches We have woad to clothe us which is Not a nest for fleas 7. Romans keep your armours Saxons your pyjamas Hairy coats were meant for goats Gorillas, yaks, retriever dogs and llamas 8. Tramp up Snowdon with your woad on Never mind if we get rained or snowed on Never wants a button sewed on Go it, ancient B's! |
The tune of course is better known as "Men of Harlech". For those who don't still use it, woad is a sort of blue clay which the Ancient Britons used to daub over themselves before going into battle.
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