Four firemen scrambled aboard their engine 
And raced five miles, 
Blue and amber lights flashing 
Emergency call from the army 
But a surprise... 
Was waiting when they got there 
The bathroom of the sergeant's mess 
Was covered with water (covered with water) 
Their orders were to mop it up 
And put it in order (put it in order) 

The friends of the army fire brigade 
Came out in sympathy 
We didn't join to mop the floors 
Or right the IMP... 
[coughing] 
They still had to do their jobs 
And throw the book at you 
You can't believe it's true 

They each replied, 
"This is how I see it." 
The first one to answer was Henry 
"I could work." The others felt the same way 
They all agreed it wasn't fair 
We shouldn't be made to (shouldn't be made to) 
It really is the principle 
We should remain true to (should remain true to) 

They fought through two world wars, you see, 
With hand and tooth and fist 
Now William said he'd never stand 
For treatment such as this... 
They still had to lose their jobs 
And now they've been suspended 
(The story isn't ended) The story isn't ended