Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/371

Rh When the cholera comes—as it will past a doubt—

Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout,

For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out,

An' it crumples the young British soldier.

Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier...

But the worst o' your foes is the sun over'ead:

You must wear your 'elmet for all that is said:

If 'e finds you uncovered 'e'll knock you down dead,

An' you'll die like a fool of a soldier.

Fool, fool, fool of a soldier...

If you're cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind,

Don't grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind;

Be handy and civil and then you will find

That it's beer for the young British soldier.

Beer, beer, beer for the soldier.

Now, if you must marry, take care she is old—

A troop-sergeant's widow's the nicest I'm told—

For beauty won't help if your rations is cold,

Nor love ain't enough for a soldier,

'Nough, 'nough, 'nough for a soldier...