Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile (1915) lyrics – music by Felix Powell, lyrics by George Asaf
Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile is the full name of a World War I marching song, published in 1915 in London. It was written by Welsh songwriter George Henry Powell under the pseudonym of “George Asaf”, and set to music by his brother Felix Powell.
It was featured in the 1916 American show Her Soldier Boy. The song appears in several movies, including Pack Up Your Troubles with Laurel & Hardy, High Pressure, On Moonlight Bay, and The Shopworn Angel. It is also featured in For Me and My Gal starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.
Lyrics to Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile
Private Perks is a funny little codger with a smile–a funny smile.
Five feet none, he’s an artful little dodger with a smile–a funny smile.
Flush or broke, he’ll have his little joke. He can’t be suppressed.
All the other fellows have to grin when he gets this off his chest–hi!
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile
While you’ve a lucifer to light your fag
Smile, boy’s, that’s the style.
What’s the use in worrying?
It never was worthwhile, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile
Private Perks went a-marching into Flanders with his smile, his funny smile.
He was loved by the privates and commanders for his smile–his funny smile!
When a throng of Germans came along with a mighty swing,
Perks yelled out, “This little bunch is mine! Keep your heads down, boys, and sing–hi!
Private Perks–he came back from Bosche-shooting
With his smile, his funny smile.
Round his home, he then set about recruiting
With his smile, his sunny smile.
He told all his pals, the short and tall,
What a time he’d had!
And as each enlisted like a man,
Private Perks said “Now my lad,” Hi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXcs1Vv3YlE