A 1915 philosophy song; sung and whistled by WW1 troops.
words by George Asaf
music by Felix Powell
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- Private Perks is a funny little codger
With a smile, a funny smile
Five feet none, he’s an artful little dodger
With a smile, a funny smile
Flush or broke he’ll have his little joke
He can’t be suppressed
All the other fellows have to grin
When he gets this off his chest, “Hi!
Chorus
Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag
And smile, smile, smile
While you’ve a lucifer to light your fag
Smile, boys, that’s the style
What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag
And smile, smile, smile
- Private Perks went a-marching into Flanders
With his smile, his funny smile
He was loved by the privates and commanders
For his smile, his funny smile
When a throng of Bosches came along with a mighty swing
Perks yelled out, “This little bunch is mine!
Keep your heads dow, boys and sing, “Hi! - Private Perks he came back from Bosche shooting
With his smile, his funny smile
Round his home he then set about recruiting
With his smile, his funny smile
He told all his pals, the short, the tall
What a time he’d had
And as each enlisted like a man
Private Perks said, “Now my lad, “Hi!
Sung here by Fred Feild: