Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/365

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A SOLDIER, A SOLDIER FOR ME.
347
Thug we drink, and thus we sing;
We beat our foes, love Queen or King,
While all our wealth two words impart,
A knapsack and a cheerful heart.
  For the merry, merry fife and drum
  Bid intruding care be dumb;
  Sprightly still we sing and play,
  And make dull life a holiday.

A Soldier, a Soldier for Me.
  A soldier, a soldier, a soldier for me—
    His arms are so bright,
    And he looks so upright,
    So gallant and gay
    When he trips it away,
  Who is so nice and well-powdered as he?
Sing rub a dub rub; a dub rub a dub; a dub a dub dub dub;
    Thunder and plunder!
  A soldier, a soldier, a soldier for me.

  Each morn when we see him upon the parade,
    He cuts such a flash,
    With his gorget and sash,
    And makes such ado,
    With his gaiter and queue,
  Sleeping or waking, who need be afraid?
             Sing rub a dub, &c.

  Or else when he's mounted, so trim and so tall,
    With broadsword in hand.
    The whole town to command,
    Such capers, such prances,
    Such ogling, such glances,
  Our hearts gallop off, and are left at Whitehall.
Sing taran tantaran; tantaran tanta ran tan—
    Trumpet and thump it—
  A soldier, a soldier, a soldigr for me!
    A soldier, &c.
     1786.

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