The Men They Couldn't Hang - Rosettes lyrics

We were fifty strong when we left our town We took a train to the port On the boat across we were forty eight Two in the magistrates court Two didn't get past the customs men Three got drunk in the hold Four got homesick straight-away One pair of feet got cold Raising the flag, wild without regrets Waving scarfs, singing hard, wearing our rosettes The riot squad had a team of dogs And they'd called up the water hose We declared a war, and fought to a draw For the glory of the rose One went down in a stumble Two went into the sea Three got scared and messed right there One of them was me Raising the flag, wild without regrets Waving scarfs, singing hard, wearing our rosettes Run rabbit run with the pack Better not look down better not look back The day you turn will be the day you learn The lie in the Union Jack Matchday came, and we saw the game They took us on at the gates I caught the hammering of my life At the hands of a heavyweight I dreamed I heard a distant drum Beat a requiem Someone's gained, someone's stained Us, or was it them? Raising the flags, wild without regrets Waving scarfs, drinking hard, wearing our rosettes Dress him in the flag, send him our regrets Wear a scarf on his behalf, wearing our rosettes Raising the flag, wild without regrets Waving scarfs, singing hard, wearing our rosettes