Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

An' some one shouted "'Ook it!" an' it come to

sove-ki-poo,

An' we chucked our rifles from us-oh, my Gawd!

There was thirty dead an' wounded on the ground we wouldn't keep

No, there wasn't more than twenty when the front begun to go;

But, Christ! along the line o' flight they cut us up like sheep,

An' that was all we gained by doin' so.

I 'eard the knives be'ind me, but I dursn't face my

man,

An' I don't know where I went to, 'cause I

didn't 'alt to see,

Till I'eard a beggar squealin' out for quarter as 'e

ran,

An' I thought I knew the voice an'-it was me!

We was 'idin' under bedsteads more than 'arf a march away;

We was lyin' up like rabbits all about the country side;

An' the major cursed 'is Maker 'cause 'e lived to see that day,

An' the colonel broke 'is sword acrost, an'

cried.

We was rotten 'fore we started-we was never

disciplined;

We made it out a favour if an order was

obeyed;

Yes, every little drummer 'ad 'is rights an' wrongs to mind,

So we had to pay for teachin'-an' we paid!

The papers 'id it 'andsome, but you know the Army knows;

We was put to groomin' camels till the regiments withdrew,

An' they give us each a medal for subduin' England's foes,

An' I 'ope you like my song-because it's true!

An' there ain't no chorus 'ere to give,

Nor there ain't no band to play;

But I wish I was dead 'fore I done what I did Or seen what I seed that day!

"THE MEN THAT FOUGHT AT MINDEN."

A SONG OF INSTRUCTION.

THE men that fought at Minden, they was rookies in their time

So was them that fought at Waterloo!

All the 'ole command, yuss, from Minden to Maiwand,

They was once dam' sweeps like you!

Then do not be discouraged, 'Eaven is your 'elper,

We'll learn you not to forget;

An' you mustn't swear an' curse, or you'll only

catch it worse,

For we'll make you soldiers yet.

The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad stocks beneath their chins,

Six inch 'igh an' more;

But fatigue it was their pride, and they would not be denied

To clean the cook-'ouse floor.

The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad anarchistic bombs

Served to 'em by name of 'and-grenades;

But they got it in the eye (same as you will by an' by)

When they clubbed their field-parades.

The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad buttons up an' down,

Two-an'-twenty dozen of 'em told;

But they didn't grouse an' shirk at an hour's extry work,

They kept 'em bright as gold.

The men that fought at Minden, they was armed with musketoons,

Also, they was drilled by 'alberdiers;

I don't know what they were, but the sergeants took good care

They washed be'ind their ears.

The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad ever cash

in 'and

Which they did not bank nor save,

But spent it gay an' free on their betters-such as

me

For the good advice I gave.

The men that fought at Minden, they was civil -yuss, they was

Never didn't talk o' rights an' wrongs,

But they got it with the toe (same as you will get it-so!)

For interrupting songs.

The men that fought at Minden, they was several other things

Which I don't remember clear;

But that's the reason why, now the six-year men

are dry,

The rooks will stand the beer!

Then do not be discouraged, 'Eaven is your

'elper,

We'll learn you not to forget;

An' you mustn't swear an' curse, or you'll only

catch it worse,

And we'll make you soldiers yet.

« AnteriorContinuar »