 | The Collected Poems of T. W. H. Crosland |  |
151
In the Train
There's a soldier,
By gad! Yes!—
See her gi' me
That there kiss?—
By gad! Yes!—
See her gi' me
That there kiss?—
All the people
Crowdin' by:
An' her a maid
As shy as shy!—
Crowdin' by:
An' her a maid
As shy as shy!—
Kiss'd me fair
An' plain an' free
Before the blessed
Company—
An' plain an' free
Before the blessed
Company—
Whisper'd when
I bent my head—
Mustn't tell you
What she said!
I bent my head—
Mustn't tell you
What she said!
152
Little 'un,
But very smart,
Stands no higher
Than my heart!
But very smart,
Stands no higher
Than my heart!
An' that straight
An' unafraid,—
Like a corporal
On parade!
An' unafraid,—
Like a corporal
On parade!
Smiles, an' loves you
With her eyes:
Steadies you,
And keeps you wise:
With her eyes:
Steadies you,
And keeps you wise:
Learns you all
There is to know:
Makes you feel
It's good to go!
There is to know:
Makes you feel
It's good to go!
Women's funny—
So they are!
But who taught 'em
About war?
So they are!
But who taught 'em
About war?
Where'd they learn
Their bit of drill?
Who is it took 'em
Through the mill?
Their bit of drill?
Who is it took 'em
Through the mill?
153
And gave 'em grit
Enough for ten,
An' sense to share it
With the men?
Enough for ten,
An' sense to share it
With the men?
An' made 'em so
They'd rather die
Than let a soldier
See 'em cry?
They'd rather die
Than let a soldier
See 'em cry?
An' gives 'em strength
And nerve and grace
To look the postman
In the face?
And nerve and grace
To look the postman
In the face?
Oh, don't forget it,
Mother's son—
They're soldiers, soldiers
Every one!
Mother's son—
They're soldiers, soldiers
Every one!
Soldiers loving
Them that's gone,
Soldiers, soldiers
“Holding on”—
Them that's gone,
Soldiers, soldiers
“Holding on”—
Proudest Regiment
Ever known,—
Let us call 'em
“The Lord's Own.”
Ever known,—
Let us call 'em
“The Lord's Own.”
| The Collected Poems of T. W. H. Crosland | |