My Bunkie And Other Ballads

swers reveille, He'll growl when the lamps are lit, He'll growl when he has to groom his horse, He'll growl when he " strikes the grit." He'll growl 'cause the W. C. T. U. Have stolen his booze and beer, And he has to go to a native shack For " beno's " poison cheer. He'll growl when he's up to his knees in mud, In the paddy's sticky mire; He'll growl 'bout the " niggers " he has to chase 'Neath the tropic's scorching fire. He'll growl in the rainy season when He's wet the live-long day, He'll growl if the weather's hot and dry, For the fever's holding sway. He'll growl when he's in the " calaboose," For getting a little drunk; He'll growl at the government beans and slum, The Java and spuds and punk. He'll growl at " the top " whom he doesn't love (And the captain on the side), He'll growl about inspections And the length of the water ride. But?he'll live on " emergency ration," Where the average man would die, Or hike all day in a tropic sun Though his throat is hot and dry. Or walk his post through the long wet night 'Neath the gloom of the dripping palm, While the fever's burning his very soul, Though his face is set and calm. Yes?he'll charge 'neath a hotter fire than E'er welcomed the Light Brigade, And hold a trench with the easy grace Of militia on parade. Or 'tend to a wounded comrade who Has dropped with a shattered knee? (And at roll it's "Here" to Bunkie's na...