Maud Butler from Sheffield Made by Steel Songbirds

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!)

• Australia
• Comedy
• Emily Eastwood
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• John Thompson
• Marilla Homes
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