That Army In Fiji

Tune: The Martins and the Caugheys
Now gather round and I'll tell you all a story
Of an army in the days of '41;
While their comrades overseas
Fought and Killed their enemies,
They just waited while the battles all were won.

Oh, that army in Fiji, they were brave as brave coud be.
And they laboured with their shovels all day long,
But then they didn't know
That the savage yellow foe
Was advancing on them many millions strong.

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So each day they polished up their web and rifles,
And they did their drill with great efficiency,
Though they had no ammunition.
They were chock full of ambition,
So they waited in their camp beside the sea.

Oh, that army in Fiji, they were brave as brave coidd be,
As they dug their weapon pits down by the sea,
And though the water filled them
Just as quick as they could build them,
'Twos a comfort to the major and OC.

Though their rifles were of 1914 pattern,
And their lewis guns had fought at Waterloo,
And their air force had no Spitfires
And their rounds were mostly misfires.
They were out to show the world what they could do.

Oh, that army in Fiji, they were brave as brave could be,
And at last the bugle blew the raid alarm;
The Japs they heard were coming
And it set the lines ahumming,
With the army here the Japs could do no harm..

The officers they had to have a meeting.
Decided things were bad as bad could be;
To N.Z. they sent a cable,
Send as fast as you are able,
Ammunition for the army in Fiji.

Oh, that army in Fiji, they were brave as brave could be,
But, alas, that brilliant army is no more,
For the old New Zealand deadheads
Sent a ton of bloomin leadheads,
As they heard the army used them once before.

So that, army like this little song is ended,
But their name will always live in memory,
As a brilliant indication
Of lack of preparation
That's a byword in New Zealand's infantry.