Odd verses to the tune Abdul Abulbul Amir
I cannot now remember whether the first verse referred to showering at the
"old base" (Halley 2) after the heating had packed up, or to the three
monthly wash in the field which those of us concerned with hygiene took
inside the tent after all the sleeping bags, ground sheet etc. had been
removed.
It's a hell of a laugh
When taking a bath
Each foot in an old biscuit tin
But your mate laughs the more
When he opens the door
And lets the Antarctic rush in!
The next two are certainly field laments - written I believe during the
extended lie up when caught in a nine day blizzard in the Bob Pi crossing.
A tin in the tent
Is convenient
When wanting a piss in the night
But your little abode
Will not house a commode
So you squat in the snow for a shite
When you're deep in your pit
And you're wanting a shit
And the wind round the tent whines and howls
You pray from the heart
That it's only a fart
And say "Peace, be still to your bowels".
The pleasantness of an evening camp can be a little spoiled on occasion:
A dogs one delight
When you've had a good shite
Is the wolf the whole lot without pause
But your stomach will rive as
You watch the salivas
Ooze forth in brown globs from his jaws.
An apt comment on the standard ration - whether on base or at camp:
If you were a scout
Then there is no doubt
That you worked for your camp cooking badge
But I'd like to bet
You never have met
A mess more amorphous than scradge.