The Dubliners - Salonika

Irish Folk Song of World War I. The Greek port of Salonika (Thessaloniki) came to prominence in 1915 when it was used to mount and supply the Gallipoli expeditionary force. The song probably originated in Cork, Ireland, but became known in the British Army (many of whose members were in any case Irish, especially during the First World War). The verse mentioning Sinn Fein was no doubt a later addition. Salonika, in common with other World War I landmarks, would have been well-known in the poorer parts of Cork City at the time, as many of the men were forced for economic reasons to enlist. This is an anti-recruiting song and the terms 'soldiers' and 'slackers' are used for those who enlisted and those who stayed at home. While the soldiers were away their wives received what was known as separation pay. These women were known as 'Separas' and were very much despised by the other women. Most of the verses of this song were collected from Mrs. Ronayne, grandmother of Mick Murphy of Stoker's Lodge. (Notes Jimmy Crowley, 'The Boys of Fair Hill').

= LYRICS =
Oh me husband's in Salonika
And I wonder if he's dead
And I wonder if he knows he has a kid
With a foxy head

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

When the war is over
What will the slackers do?
They'll be all around the soldiers
For to loan 'em a bob or two . . .

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

And when the war is over
What will the soldier's do?
They'll be walking around with a leg and a half
And the slackers
They'll have two

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

They tax'd a pound of butter
And they tax'd the ha'penny bun.
And still with all their taxin'
They can't bate the bloody hun!

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

They tax'd the colloseum
And they tax'd St. Mary's Hall!
Why don't they tax the bobbies,
With their backs against the wall?

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

When the war is over
What will the slackers do?
For every kid in America
In Cork there will be two!

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

They takes us out to blarney
And they lays us on the grass . . .
They puts us in the family way
Then they leaves us on our arse!

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

There's no lino in the parlour
And in the kitchen too.
And a lovely glass-backed chiffonier
That we got from Dickie Drew

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

Oh never marry a soldier
A sailor, or a marine
And keep your eye on that Sinn Fein boy
With his yellow, white, and green!

So right away, so right away
So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy

So right away Salonika
Right away, me soldier boy!