I was introduced to
The Shores of Old Blighty when joining the
Tyneside Maritime Chorus in 2011. Written by
Graeme Miles, it is one of his songs about National Servicemen and in this particular song their trepidation on leaving England's shores (Old Blighty) for the very first time for parts foreign, in this case Germany. When singing this song, it reminds me of my time as a Royal Navy rating when serving on HMS Victorious and visiting Hamburg for the very first time in February, 1960. There I exchanged my bunk for an army national serviceman taking his place with the Royals Tank Regiment, just down the road a bit in Fallingbostel in the Lüneburger Heide. Well, completely lacking any trepidation whatsoever, I and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
This song may be found in the Tyneside Maritime Chorus songbook