OONTS
(NORTHERN INDIA TRANSPORT TRAIN)
Wot makes the soldier’s ’eart to penk, wot makes him to perspire?
It isn’t standin’ up to charge nor lyin’ down to fire;
But it’s everlastin’ waitin’ on a everlastin’ road
For the commissariat camel an’’is commissariat load.
O the oont,[1] O the oont, O the commissariat oont!
With ’is silly neck a-bobbin’ like a basket full o’ snakes;
We packs ’im like an idol, an’ you ought to ’ear ’im grunt,
An’ when we gets ’im loaded up ’is blessed girth-rope breaks.
It isn’t standin’ up to charge nor lyin’ down to fire;
But it’s everlastin’ waitin’ on a everlastin’ road
For the commissariat camel an’’is commissariat load.
O the oont,[1] O the oont, O the commissariat oont!
With ’is silly neck a-bobbin’ like a basket full o’ snakes;
We packs ’im like an idol, an’ you ought to ’ear ’im grunt,
An’ when we gets ’im loaded up ’is blessed girth-rope breaks.
Wot makes the rear-guard swear so ’ard when night is drorin’ in,
An’ every native follower is shiverin’ for ’is skin?
An’ every native follower is shiverin’ for ’is skin?
- ↑ Camel—oo is pronounced like u in ‘bull,’ but by Mr. Atkins to rhyme with ‘front.’
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