“Bless 'Em All”
Description
Verses can be on any subject, though usually military and often obscene. Many units had their own versions. The conclusion, either "Bless 'em all" or "Fuck 'em all," is diagnostic
Notes
Ed Cray notes, "It was a poor unit during the Second World War that didn't have at least one version of this classic...." It probably originated in World War I, and has been credited to "F. Godbey." A copyright version appeared in 1940; this is probably the cleanest version that has ever existed.
It is not immediately evident which of the two basic titles ("Bless" or "Fuck") is more common. - RBW
References
- Cray, pp. 386-391, "Fuck 'Em All" (3 texts plus floating stanzas, 1 tune)
- DT, BLSSALL1* BLSSALL2* BLSSALL3* BLSSALL4* BLSSALL5* BLSSALL6* BLSSALL7* BLSSALL8* BLSSALL9* BLSSAL10*
- Roud #8402
- BI, EM386