Private Joe

Song Cycle by Roxanna Panufnik (b. 1968) 

A setting of two letters from Private Joe to his sister at home, from the World War I battleground at Ypres, August 1917 - interspersed with three war poems.

1. Letter 1
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
My Dear Sister & Brother, 
I hope you do not think I am forgotten you, 
as I  have not had much time to write  this last few days 
so you  will have to excuse me. 
I hope you are both going on in good health, 
as I am quite well at this present time, 
and I want to know how often little girl comes to look at you, 
as wrote and told her she was to visit you, 
I want to know if she is doing as I asked her. 
I want you to please give our sister Carrie a shilling or two, 
to make a home-made parcel and send me. 
I should just love a home-made parcel. 
Do not be offended at me asking you, 
because I do not want you to be upset.
I have not much more to say 
only I want you to write straight back. So I will close no,

From your loving Brother, Joe.
To Mary & Tom

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Note: at the top of the letter is the following: 

203085. Pte J Wood
2/5th Leicesters. C. coy.
10 Platoon,
B.E.F. France
28/8/17

Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

2. And when I die
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
And when I die,
Don't bury me at all,
Just pickle my toes in alcohol.

With a bottle of booze
At my head and my feet,
And then I know my toes will keep.

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3. The Letter  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
With B.E.F. June 10. Dear Wile, 
(O blast this pencil. 'Ere, Bill, lend's a knife.) 
I'm in the pink at present, dear. 
think the war will end this year. 
We don't see much of them square-'eaded 'Uns. 
We're out of harm's way, not bad led. 
I'm longing for a taste of your old buns. 
(Say, Jimmie, spare's a bite of bread.) 
There don't seem much to say just now. 
(Yer what? Then don't, yer ruddy cow! 
And give us back me cigarette!) 
I'll soon be 'ome. You mustn't fret. 
My feet's improvin', as I told you of.
We're out in rest now. Never fear. 
(VRACH! By crumbs, but that was near.) 
Mother might spare you half a sov. 
Kiss Nell and Bert. When me and you- 
(Eh? What the hell! Stand to Stand to! 
Jim, give's a hand with pack on, lad. 
Guh! Christ! I'm hit. Take 'old. Aye, bad. 
No damn your lodine. Jim? 'Ere! 
Write my old girl, Jim, there's a dear.)

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4. From Albert to Bapaume
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Lonely and bare and desolate
 [ ... ]

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5. Letter 2
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
My Dear Sister & Brother,
       I hope you
are proper good health, as I remain
so at present, except for one thing
and I am very pleased to receive
your Examiner, in which I
received very thankfully. I
want you to know that I have
lost my purse in which was
full of money,
and I want you to put something to and please
send me a nice big Parcel, as
I am completely done in now,
as I have neither money, cigarettes,
nor anything whatever, hoping 
you will please send me a
nice sized Parcel, as you know
Mary we boys want looking after,
as we are in France
fighting for you at Home, so I
hope you will please send one
straigth away, from your

Loving Brother
Joe Wood.

Best Love to All at Home

Text Authorship:

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Note: at the top of the letter is the following: 

203085 Pte Joe Wood
2/6th Leic. C.coy 10 Platoon,
B.E.F. France,
3/9/17

Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
Total word count: 572