According to Ewan MacColl, from whom I learned this back in the Dark Ages, this ‘lugubrious ditty’ originated with the Middle East Air Force Regiment in World War II, but is now also claimed by every other unit to see service in that part of the world. According to his sleeve notes for ‘Bundook Ballads’, “The only song which exceeds it in popularity among desert troops is the ribald Ballad of King Farouk, a song of rich bawdiness and impossible advice.”
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Epitaph for an army of mercenaries
Alternative tune:
Better version of alternative tune:
Time on my hands
Words and music copyright David Harley, 1971
Backup:
Time on my hands
Time to think of a friend who changed one weekend
Changed to a part of me
Time to look back
Cosily stoned by the fire / getting much higher
Watching you watching me
Time and again
To think of caring for you / knowing I do
Hoping you might for me
Time on my hands
No hangups and nothing to say but “We had our day”
And the music goes on and on
David Harley
David Harley Words & Music 
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