Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/508

 490 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

Back to the Army again, sergeant,

Back to the Army again. Out o' the cold an' the rain, sergeant,

Out o' the cold an' the rain.

'Oo's there?

A man that's too good to be lost you,

A man that is 'andled an' made A man that will pay what 'e cost you

In learnin' the others their trade parade! You're droppin' the pick o' the Army

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

(Troops for Foreign Service)

IV/fARCH! 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 II 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. Lord! The transport's full, an' 'alf our lot not on 'er

Cheer, O cheer! We're going off where no one knows.