‘The Firth of Forth’ - British WW2 Song

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(I have re-uploaded this video with corrected lyrics)

‘The Firth of Forth’ is a British WW2 song of unknown origin. The song has no definitive writer or date of origin, from what I have read it seems to have started as just a general song sung by RAF airmen during the war rather than a composition. The lyrics talk about the rather horrid conditions of flying, with damaged aeroplanes, bad weather, cold days. The obvious lyrical consistency is the almost constant usage of the work ‘fuck.’

Of note, the second verse sung appears to be an anachronism from the 90’s when the group who sung this specific recording released it. One lyric refers to operations room ‘R30’ which was built in RAF Neatishead in Norfolk in 1972. As for the 269 line, I believe it is referring to No. 269 Squadron RAF, which was stationed in eastern Scotland from 1939 to 1941, initially north of the Firth of Forth in RAF Montrose, and later in RAF Wick in northern Scotland following October of 1939. During the years they were stationed there they would be responsible for flying over the North Sea raiding and attacking prominent targets in Nazi-occupied Norway.

Recording done by the band ‘Sods Opera’ in the 90’s.