| We used to call 'em "dough boys," "tin soldiers" and
the like We used to holler "Hayfoot!" when they went out on a hike, We couldn't understand what we were paying taxes for To drill a bunch of soldiers when there wasn't any war. We looked upon their practice with a heap of solemn scorn, We said they ought to stay at home and plow the weedy corn, Ye aped their awkward motions when they fumbled a salute, And asked them what their guns were for and who they meant to shoot. Sometimes on Decoration Day we let them march along And tag the great procession of a patriotic throng, But generally we met them with a snicker or a frown And never looked upon them as an asset to the town. But now it seems a change has come o'er Hicksburg on the plain, Our boys are followed by the band while marching to the train. They know what they are up against and seem to think it fun, While the band down at the depot plays "Johnny Get Your Gun." At last we found a place for them to prove their real worth; They're the fairest of ten thousand and the flower of the earth. When Uncle Sam was short on men and up against it hard The call to go against the foe was answered by the guard. |
Verdigris Valley Verse
Albert Stroud
(Coffeyville, Kansas: The Journal Press. 1917)
Page 100
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