London Boy

by East End Badoes

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All proceeds from this track, released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, will go to the Royal British Legion (registered charity 219279)

'London Boy' is based on the true story of Herbie George Cruttwell, who at 14 years old, and only 4' 7", signed up to go to war, and was the only one in his regiment who returned to North London.

lyrics

It was 1914 at the start of the war
A young lad from London signed to the King's payroll
He said to his mum that he's going out
He never returned and she didn't have contact
'Til she received a note from the barracks where he was
Your boy's now a man, he'll do this land proud
She rushed straight there to get her boy back
"He's there now for good" as the officer told her
"Make a man of your boy, Ma'am, don't worry about that"
"He's safe with us here, and that is a fact"
"I'll look after your son as though he's my own,
He's one of us now, as a person he'll grow."

The London Boy.

"I'm 18, Sir, honest", the lie that he told
Like so many others he just wanted to go.
Handed his uniform and given a gun
That young boy from London he now felt like a man.
Stood less than five foot and unable to climb
Out of the trenches when 'ATTACK' had been cried.
The officer realised that the boy was too young
And sent him to the kitchens while the others they died.

The London Boy

None of his friends would come back alive
The young lad from London only one who survived
All of them gunned down, they never returned
Except one lad from London Town.

The London Boy.

credits

released October 11, 2018
Terry Hayes (vocals)
James Cruttwell (vocals, bass guitar, piano, additional guitar)
Mark Killengrey (drums, percussion, backing vocals)
James Kilpatrick (lead guitar, backing vocals)
Richard Cruttwell (guitar, backing vocals)

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East End Badoes London, UK

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