IT’S BEEN A GRAND LIFE IN THE ARMY
AND THE ARMY’S BEEN GRAND FOR ME
HAVING RETURNED TO OLD CIVVY STREET, NOW
THINGS JUST AREN’T QUITE MY CUP OF TEA
THOUGH I’VE SERVED MY KING AND COUNTRY
AND DEFENDED THE OLD EMPIRE
TO BE PERFECTALLY BLUNT
NO-ONE REALLY SEEMS TO WANT
A BRIGADIER DSO RETIRED

I DID A GOOD JOB IN THE PUNJAB
I COMMANDED THE ROYAL HUSSARS
AND WE WOULD DRESS
FOR DRINKS IN THE MESS
GOOD BRANDY AND THE FINEST CIGARS
I WAS AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
BY MY MEN I WAS MUCH ADMIRED
BUT THAT’S ALL PAST
WHAT PEOPLE WANT LAST
IS A BRIGADIER DSO RETIRED

I’VE HAD COMMENDATIONS AND DECORATIONS
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES SOME SEVENTEEN TIMES
BUT WHAT USE ARE GONGS, SILVER PIPS AND RIBBONS
TO A BRIGADIER DSO RETIRED

WHAT USE ARE GONGS
WHEN NO-ONE WANTS
A BRIGADIER DSO RETIRED

(C) D.R.Burton 1994