The battle of the Somme was one of the British armies biggest disaters
militarily, but its devastating effect on  the  social life of uk is hardly realised.

The festival of Whitsuntide in UK coincides with the ancient festival of Pentacost . By tradition it was the end of spring and a joy for approaching summer and traditionally a time of out door parties and singing and dancing.

On  the  first Whitsun holiday after the battle of the Somme so many husbands and sweethearts had been killed on  the  Somme battlefield that the ladies had no choice but to partner themselves hence the poignant saying

'The ladies all  go  dancing at Whitsun'

Dance pretty ladies dance
Awaiting the loveones return
But over in Picardy
The roses dont bloom any more
Dance pretty ladies
Its your turn

Take your partner  Miss Hanson
The girl with the chestnut red hair
Shes waiting for someone
No not just anyone
A soldier 
Who has gone over there

In the pentacost sun
There are things you can do
To help the war effort you see
So your man he has gone
To fight on the Somme
Things will be fine just for you

So you ladies come dancing at Whitsun
The spring may blossom and all
You can dance with you Aunt
As many men cant
Be proud that he answered the call