It is men who fight the guns
But women those sons who gave us,
It is girls who from the Huns
And the world’s defeat will save us;
Munition girls it shall not be forgot
You gave our men the powder and the shot.
You with your overalls,
Neat hands, and pretty faces,
Who heard your country’s calls
And left your peaceful places;
Munition girls it shall not be forgot
You gave our men the powder and the shot.
You with your bone-pin rule
And mab-caps fit for fairies,
Who came from home and school
From shops, and farms, and dairies.
Munition girls it shall not be forgot
You gave our men the powder and the shot.
You in the ether fume
With singing kept your soul up,
And close to death and doom
Made the white cordite roll up;
Munition girls it shall not be forgot
You gave our men the powder and the shot.
You in the halls of sound
The mighty lathes are minding,
Turn shells to silver round
And fit their golden binding;
Munition girls it shall not be forgot
You gave our men the powder and the shot.
And when you all go home
Because the war is over,
Each lad with thanks will come,
Each lass will have her lover
Because the boys who fought have not forgot
You gave them all the powder and the shot.
(Carlisle Journal, 1917, 25 December, p. 2)