Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/541

 There are girls he married secret, asking no permission to,

For he knew he wouldn't get it if he did.

There is gas and coals and vittles, and the house-rent falling due,

And it's more than rather likely there's a kid.

There are girls he walked with casual. They'll be sorry now he's gone,

For an absent-minded beggar they will find him,

But it ain't the time for sermons with the winter coming on.

We must help the girl that Tommy's left behind him!

Cook's son—duke's son—son of a belted earl

Son of a Lambeth publican—it's all the same to-day!

Each of 'em doing his country's work

(and who's to look after the girl?)

Pass the hat for your credit's sake,

and pay—pay—pay!

There are families by thousands, far too proud to beg or speak,

And they'll put their sticks and bedding up the spout,

And they'll live on half o' nothing, paid 'em punctual once a week

'Cause the man that earns the wage is ordered out.

He's an absent-minded beggar, but he heard his country call,

And his reg'ment didn't need to send to find him!

He chucked his job and joined it—so the job before us all

Is to help the home that Tommy's left behind him!

Duke's job—cook's job—gardener, baronet, groom

Mews or palace or paper-shop, there's someone gone away!

Each of 'em doing his country's work

(and who's to look after the room?)

Pass the hat for your credit's sake,

and pay—pay—pay!

Let us manage so as, later, we can look him in the face,

And tell him—what he'd very much prefer—

That, while he saved the Empire, his employer saved his place

And his mates (that's you and me) looked out for her.