Embedded Files
The lyrics in the song “There’s a fight on, are you in it?” could not be more direct. The lyrics matched with cover art featuring a wounded soldier carrying on is meant to be a brotherly appeal from soldier-to-recruit to enlist.
THERE'S A FIGHT GOING ON, ARE YOU IN IT?
Herbert Kohler, Jules Brazil
VERSE 1
When you see the boys a marching, don’t you feel like marching too?
Come boys, join the khaki line.
When you hear the drums a calling, don’t you know they’re calling you?
Calling you to keep the old flag flying.
Fall in as comrades ev’ry one, until the victory is won.
Left! Right! Left! Right!
Come on get in the fight.
Fall in, boys, fall in.
CHORUS
There’s a fight a-going on, are you in it,
We’ve been in it for a long long time,
There’s a fight a-going on, we will win it,
We will win it if you’ll only sign,
Fall in, as we march a long,
Fall in, join us in the song,
There’s a fight a-going on, are you in it,
We’ve been in it for a long long time.
VERSE 2
Came a message from the trenches, from the lads in khaki true
Boys we’re waiting her for you.
And we’ll set the heavens ringing, with a comrade’s welcome true.
When we see you come a marching, singing,
Cheering the old Red, White and Blue. Just as we always do.
Left! Right! Left! Right!
Come on get in the fight.
Fall in, boys, fall in.
There's a fight going on_edited_merged.mp3
Orangeville Banner recruitment advertisement, 1917.
THE ROSS RIFLE
At the beginning of the war, Canadian soldiers were outfitted with the Ross Rifle, which had been introduced to Canadian soldiers and police at the end of the South African War. The problem was that the Canadian government had awarded the manufacturing contract in 1901 without it being thoroughly tested. The rifle was reworked several times.
By the onset of WWI, despite the willingness of Britain to equip Canadian soldiers with the Lee-Enfield rifle, Canadian soldiers were given the Mark 2 Ross rifle, which was soon replaced with the Mark 3 model.
Soldiers soon found out that the rifle was unreliable in the trenches. It was a good hunting and sniping rifle, but when faced with the mud, dirt and sand of the trenches, and the prolonged firing of hastily produced ammunition, it often jammed.
By 1916, Canadian soldiers had been rearmed with the Lee-Enfield rifle.
REGIMENTAL BANDS
As units scrambled to organize fighting forces, bands were also organized to support the effort. At the beginning of WWI, the Canadian military made no provisions for regimental bands. However, CEF battalions were given the option of maintaining one bandmaster and 24 bandsmen. Many units used the services – as they had done before – of civilian bands such as the Shelburne Citizens’ Band or 36th Regiment Band. The band was among 28 present for exercises at Camp Borden in 1916.
Local bands played an important role in spreading patriotism and giving soldiers a regal send-off. It proved a challenge keeping the bands going during the war since several members decided to trade in their instruments for rifles. In 1916, the 164th Battalion Band was in desperate need of cornet players – since several members had the brass to run off to enlist.
Pictured above is the 36th Regiment Band at Camp Niagara, circa 1905.
MoD Collection, P-1590H.
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