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Maud Butler

from Sheffield Made by Steel Songbirds

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about

Maud Butler was a young woman who attempted to join the Australian Army in 1916, dressed as a man. Twice.

Written by John Thompson of cloudstreet.

lyrics

2. (What will we do with) Maud Butler
© John Thompson (cloudstreet)

Maud Butler had a brother in the army,
and so she made her way to Sydney town.
At 17 she knew her mind –
she wouldn't just be left behind.
And so Maud tried to join the army.

Chorus:
What will we do with Maud Butler?
She dresses as a soldier and she wants to go to war.
She jumped a ship to cross the foam,
Better than any stay-at-home.
The prettiest little soldier-boy the army ever saw.

A lovely farmer's daughter from old Kurri Kurri town,
she tried to sign on as a nurse,
they turned the poor girl down.
She bought herself some soldier's gear,
cut her hair, and dried her tears,
and climbed up a rope to board a transport.

Three days in a life-raft without a bite to eat,
'til bold as brass she walked the decks,
the sailor-boys to meet.
An officer saw her walking about –
Her boots were wrong, they found her out.
Poor Maud was put ashore
in dear old Melbourne.

Only two months later
Maud was back on board again.
Another attempt to see the front,
in the company of men.
“I'll do my bit to help the war”
she said when she was back on shore,
"I just want to be a soldier."

This young girl's an example
to all of those who shirk.
While others would have given up,
Maud Butler went to work
A lesser girl would have had enough
but Maud was made of sterner stuff
so raise a cheer and sing
of Miss Maud Butler (hooray!)

credits

from Sheffield Made, released February 15, 2019
John Thompson

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Steel Songbirds image

Steel Songbirds Sheffield, UK

Steel Songbirds are Marilla Homes and Emily Eastwood. A comic and poignant musical duo based in Sheffield UK. Blending acapella voices, with occasional fiddle or bouzouki, these girls know how to laugh!

Steel Songbirds were dug from the soil of Australia & England, forged in Sheffield UK, tempered in the swimming pool of life & sharpened on the wit of singledom in the folk/pub/archaeology worlds. ... more

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