Question:

Have you ever served played the clarinet?

by  |  earlier

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The timing is somewhat out, take it for what it is.

I was a youth, not sixteen years

who thought the world to see.

And so overcoming all my fears

I signed up for nine and three.*

A foolish move some did speak

to accept the old kings shilling,

to take in payment five a week

but I was more than willing.

Enlisting in the military band

of the North Stafford's Regiment.

With clarinet in my unsure hand

sucked and blew to resentment.

For nine months I tried in vain,

to produce an acceptable noise.

And youthful dreams began to wane,

when to Egypt I went with the boys.

"Otranto" was the ship we sailed on,

a converted liner I had been told.

And with kit bag weighing half a ton

with others I was herded to the hold.

Nights of sleeping in a hammock

swaying to the movement of the ship.

Gun fodder ready for the breechblock,

most staggered to the deck to be sick.

Fed up with trying sleep down below,

each evening would find me on deck

using life jackets as bed and a pillow

and on awaking had no twisted neck.

But a change of country and of clime

did not improve me as a player.

A transfer was made; not before time,

and I found myself in Malaya.

A musician I knew I would not make,

volunteered a self-imposed dismissal.

I served my time, and then sent home

an expert on how well I could whistle.

*Nine years with the regiment

Three years in army reserve

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4 ANSWERS


  1. In this musical offering a lovely score.

    All I can say is bravo, encore!  


  2. At graduation ceremonies we all had to sing our class song. I was in the first row; my music teacher said, "Elaine, please, just lip-sync the words!"


  3. What an incredible story!  Plus, it is written beautifully.

    You are such a treasure.  And my clarinet prowess got me sent to the chorus where I could carry a tune.  Thanks for a great read on a Friday!

  4. I read every word and found it memorable, a great story, and well told. Poetry that tells a story; great stuff. Well done, my friend, well done.

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