Sung To The Tune “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”
When Very lights are shining,
Sure they’re like the morning light
And when the guns begin to thunder
You can hear the angel’s shite.
Then the Maxims start to chatter
And trench mortars send a few,
And when Very lights are shining
‘Tis time for a rum issue.
When Very lights are shining
Sure ’tis like the morning dew,
And when shells begin a bursting
It makes you think your times come too.
And when you start advancing
Five nines and gas comes through,
Sure when Very lights are shining
‘Tis rum or lead for you.
A “Very Light” is a rocket fired from a brass pistol and used at night in the front line to illuminate No Man’s Land so that sentries could be sure the enemy were not approaching.