Is My Team Ploughing? - Malcolm Martineau, Thomas Allen, George Butterworth

«Is my team ploughing

That I was used to drive

And hear the harness jingle

When I was man alive?»

Ay, the horses trample

The harness jingles now;

No change though you lie under

The land you used to plough

«Is football playing

Along the river-shore

With lads to chase the leather

Now I stand up no more?»

Ay, the ball is flying

The lads play heart and soul;

The goal stands up, the keeper

Stands up to keep the goal

«Is my girl happy

That I thought hard to leave

And has she tired of weeping

As she lies down at eve?»

Ay, she lies down lightly

She lies not down to weep:

Your girl is well contented

Be still, my lad, and sleep

«Is my friend hearty

Now I am thin and pine

And has he found to sleep in

A better bed than mine?»

Yes, lad, I lie easy

I lie as lads would choose;

I cheer a dead man’s sweetheart

Never ask me whose