They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench —
My boy.
They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench,
Which means tonight they'll surely drench
These works with shells that burst and stench
( And cloy ).
They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench —
My lad.
It breaks with shrill and tinny sound,
And quite promiscuously around
It showers metal on the ground
( It's bad ).
They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench —
Recruit.
So do not stand and stupid stare
Till some comes down and parts your hair,
But hunt your dugout and beware
( To boot ).
They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench —
Young man.
Which means tonight the gas shells’ thud
Will muffled fall like chunks of mud;
And th’ blinding, crashing Prince of Blood —
The G. I. Can.
They're shooting shrapnel o'er the trench —
My child.
And ere the dawn is turning gray —
You mark the very words I say —
There's going to be hell to pay
( High piled ).