We’re the D-Day Dodgers out in Italy,
Always on the vino, always on the spree…
—“The Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers”, a #WW2 soldiers’ song, to the tune of “Lili Marlene”, & collected by Hamish Henderson (1919–2002). The term was an insulting reference to Allied troops fighting in Italy in 1944 (none of whom, of course, were able to choose where & when to fight). Henderson fought in North Africa & Italy in WW2.
The term “D-Day Dodger” was widely attributed to Viscountess Astor, a Conservative MP, hence the reference to her in the song 👆 – although she denied saying it & there is no record of her using this phrase.
Listen to “The Ballad of the D-Day Dodgers” sung here by Rod Paterson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXoXx7RRWs&list=OLAK5uy_lyHb3w_CdLiyDsHl84M6obGIoyIc2Ydl4&index=2
Provided to YouTube by IngroovesBallad Of The D-Day Dodgers · Rod PatersonA' The Bairns O AdamWriter, Composer: Hamish HendersonAuto-generated by YouTube.
Assoc for Scottish Literature