Needle and Thread by Henry Clements (HenryClem)

This is a simply brilliant anti war song that saves the punch till the very last line. There's usually a shocked silence when I finish, then thunderous applause - for Henry

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, as she patched your dungarees
She said you were a terror, Jack, forever climbing trees
The bumps and scrapes and bruises, Jack, she'd ease your cares away
She'd patch you and your trousers, Jack, and wave you out to play

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, as your blazer badge she sewed
You'd passed to go to Grammar, Jack, what pride your mother showed
But the uniform was costly, Jack, came with such sacrifice
But she dressed you up so smartly, Jack, wouldn't have it otherwise

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, machining gloves for pence
Her fingers worn to leather, Jack, that you might have a chance
She toiled that you might study, Jack, she sewed that you might reap
And if she seems old already, Jack, she's given you her sleep.

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, as she polishes your shoes
She's pressed the suit she gave you jack, for important interviews
She said it didn't matter, Jack, when there were no jobs to be found
Things would soon get better, Jack, but you couldn't hang around

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, the day that you left home
You'd signed to be a soldier, Jack, though to her you're hardly grown
And she's written you such letters, Jack, though she had no news at all
She was knitting you a sweater, Jack, when the Captain came to call

I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, as she polishes your shoes
She's pressed the suit she gave you jack, for important interviews
Too many bumps and bruises, Jack, and no more trees to climb
I'm thinking of your mother, Jack, she's dressed you one last time