"BACK TO THE ARMY AGAIN." I'M 'ere in a ticky ulster an' a broken billycock 'at, A-layin' on to the sergeant I don't know a gun from a bat; My shirt's doin' duty for jacket, my sock's stickin' out o' my boots, An' I'm learnin' the damned old goose-step along o' the new recruits! Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again. Don't look so 'ard, for I 'aven't no card, I'm back to the Army again! I done my six years' service. 'Er Majesty sez: "Good day You'll please to come when you're rung for, an' 'ere's your 'ole back pay; An' four-pence a day for baccy-an' bloomin' gen 'rous, too; An' now you can make your fortune-the same as your orf'cers do." Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again; 'Ow did I learn to do right-about turn? I'm back to the army again! A man o' four-an'-twenty that 'asn't learned of a trade Beside "Reserve" agin' him-'e'd better be never made. I tried my luck for a quarter, an' that was enough for me, An' I thought of 'Er Majesty's barricks, an' I thought I'd go an' see. Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again; 'Tisn't my fault if I dress when I ’alt— I'm back to the Army again! The sergeant arst no questions, but 'e winked the other eye, E' sez to me, "'Shun!" an' I shunted, the same as in days gone by; For 'e saw the set o' my shoulders, an' I couldn't 'elp 'oldin' straight When me an' the other rookies come under the barrick gate. Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again; 'Oo would ha' thought I could carry an' port? I'm back to the Army again! I took my bath, an' I wallered-for, Gawd, I needed it so! I smelt the smell o' the barricks, I 'eard the bugles go. I'eard the feet on the gravel-the feet o' the men what drill An' I sez to my flutterin' 'eart-strings, I sez to 'em, "Peace, be still!" Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again; 'Oo said I knew when the Jumner was due ? I'm back to the Army again! I carried my slops to the tailor; I sez to 'im, "None o' your lip! You tight 'em over the shoulders, an' loose 'em over the 'ip, For the set o' the tunic's 'orrid." An' 'e sez to me, "Strike me dead, But I thought you was used to the business!" an' so 'e done what I said. Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again. Rather too free with my fancies? Wot-me? I'm back to the Army again! Next week I'll 'ave 'em fitted; I'll buy me a walk in' cane; They'll let me free o' the barricks to walk on the Hoe again In the name o' William Parsons, that used to be Edward Clay, An' any pore beggar that wants it can draw my fourpence a day! Back to the Army again, sergeant, Back to the Army again: Out o' the cold an' the rain, sergeant, 'Oo's there? A man that's too good to be lost you, Because you don't 'elp 'em remain, But drives 'em to cheat to get out o' the street An' back to the Army again! "BIRDS OF PREY" MARCH. MARCH! The mud is cakin' good about our trousies. Front!-eyes front, an' watch the Colour-casin's drip. Front! The faces of the women in the 'ouses Ain't the kind o' things to take aboard the ship. Cheer! An' we'll never march to victory. Cheer! An' we'll never live to 'ear the cannon roar! The Large Birds o' Prey They will carry us away, An' you'll never see your soldiers any more! Wheel! Oh, keep your touch; we're goin' round a corner. Time!-mark time, an' let the men be'ind us close. |