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by R P Weston and Bert Lee (1935)
Illustration by Bill Tidy
The colonel's daughter refers to the Band of Hope, a popular mid-19th century temperance association, which helped to ween child labourers from alcohol. The organisation still exists today (see hopeuk.org), helping children to stay away from contemporary drugs, as well as alcohol.
Like many similar organisations, Hope UK depends on volunteers. And such volunteers are richly rewarded when they see the results of their work. And if a volunteer tires of the work, they simply move on to some other worthy cause.
Such arrangements are win-win situations for everyone: The association benefits from the volunteer's work, the volunteer benefits from the knowledge their contribution is worthwhile, and the aid recipient benefits through improved quality of life.
In stark contrast, there are other organisations that are less well balanced. Pyramid MLM schemes and religious cults are obvious examples. When the participant decides they wish to move on, they suddenly find the exit door is jammed shut. They have become too useful for the organisation to let go. And if they do manage to escape, they are shunned by the organisation and made to feel worthless failures.
And that is precisely how Sam felt.
When a lad's been drummed out or the Army, Once I was drummed out, tho' today I'm a hero And the old Colonel said, when he 'eard the charge read, | |
Nay, nay, I was charged with a crime worse than that, And the Colonel's voice shook and he swallowed a lump "What have you got to say to this terrible charge?" He said "Can't you say owt but nowt?" Next morning the company lined on parade Then he pulled out his sword and cut off me coat buttons |
Then he pulled off me medals, me twenty-five medals Then the drums and the pipes played the Rogues March And soon I was outside the old barrack gates She said "What's to do, Sam?" Then she rushed to her father, the Colonel, and said, |
Then the Colonel said "Corporal Sam, please come back." He said "Lieutenant Sam, come forgive and forget." And that's how I won me Commission, me lads, And the Regiment gave me a tankard inscribed with these words |