Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
The Men That Fought at Minden
T
So was them that fought at Waterloo!
All the ’ole command, yuss, from Minden to Maiwand,
They was once dam’ sweeps like you!
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!
Six inch ’igh an’ more;
But fatigue it was their pride, and they would not be denied
To clean the cook-’ouse floor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
All for the sake of the Core;
Soldiers yet, if we ’ave to skin you—
Run an’ get the beer, Johnny Raw—Johnny Raw!
Ho! run an’ get the beer, Johnny Raw!