��HE WENT FOR A SOLDIER
He marched away with a blithe young score of him
With the first vohinteers, Clear-eyed and clean and sound to the core of him,
Blushing under the cheers. They were fine, new flags that swoing a-flying there, Oh, the pretty girls he glimpsed a-crying there.
Pelting him with pinks and with roses —
Billv, the Soldier Bov !
Not very clear in the kind young heart of him
What the fuss was about, But the flowers and the flags seemed part of him —
The music drowned his doubt. It's a fine, brave sight they were a-coming there To the gay, bold tune they kept a-drumming there,
While the boasting fifes shrilled jauntily —
Billy, the Soldier Boy !
Soon he is one with the blinding smoke of it —
Volley and curse and groan : Then he has done with the knightly joke of it —
It's rending flesh and bone.
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