Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Forgotten Soldier Boy

The Forgotten Soldier Boy

The Forgotten Soldier Boy
 (Bert Layne)

 I'm just a poor ex-soldier that's broken down and blue,
 Fought out in the Great War for the old red, white, and blue.
 I left my parents and my girl I loved, to France did go
 And fought out on the battlefield through hunger, sleet, and snow.

 I saw my buddies dying, and some shellshocked and torn
 Although we never faltered at the battle of Amarne
 And we were told when we left home we'd be heroes of the land,
 So we came back and found no one would lend a helping hand.

 They promised gold and silver, and bid us all adieu.
 They said they'd welcome us back home when the terrible war was through.
 We fought until the war was o'er, they said we'd won the fight,
 But we have no job or money, no place to sleep at night.

 They called us wandering boys bums, asking for shelter and bread
 Although we fought in no man's land and a-many poor boy is dead.
 So listen to my story and lend a helping hand
 To the poor forgotten soldier boy who fought to save our land.

Somebody asked about whether there were any serious bluegrass songs. This is ver
y early,
 from the Monroe Brothers, Charlie and Bill, 1936. I am not sure it is available
 anywhere at the
 moment. It was on a old (great) vinyl collection, Country Music South and West
from New
 World Records.
recorded by the Monroe Brothers, October 12, 1936
 on Bluebird B-6829

PT
oct99