A Man that is a Man.
(Air: “The Last Rose of Summer.")
Dedicated to "Curly.”
Tis a soldier I’m praising,
So big and so strong;
The most manly, yet tender,
That e’er I did song:
Oh people, you know not
The gem that he is!
How can I sing to you
What virtues are his!
To fight for his country,
He shoulders a gun;
He fears not the bullets,
Their whistle’s but fun:
Though others might waver
In battle’s uproar,
My boy shows the hero,
A born man of war.
He’s the pride of his country,
A most mighty brave;
We have fear of no nation,
We trust him to save:
With fear he and his fellows
The nations inspire;
For they shine out as warriors
Of might and of fire.
Though a man of such power,
He uses it alone
In causes that are righteous,
And ne’er in his own:
He can spare and can punish—
A man of such might!—
But is kind-hearted and gentle,
Acts ever aright.
He’s so kind to the out-cast,
To me whom all curse;
A big heart, sympathetic,
That never thinks worse
Than to speak kindly words out
To whome’er he meets,
And assist any sufferer,
As he stalks through the streets.
And he takes with the maidens?
They fall at his feet;
They just worship his manhood,
As master him greet:
O yes he is all glorious,
In girls’ eyes all fair;
His own baby girl boasteth
His charms, yes, for e'er!
