| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | To Thomas Atkins |
| | (Prelude to Barrack Room Ballads)
I HAVE made for you a song, | |
| And it may be right or wrong, | |
| But only you can tell me if it’s true; | |
| I have tried for to explain | |
| Both your pleasure and your pain, | 5 |
| And, Thomas, here’s my best respects to you! | |
| |
| O there’ll surely come a day | |
| When they’ll give you all your pay, | |
| And treat you as a Christian ought to do; | |
| So, until that day comes round, | 10 |
| Heaven keep you safe and sound, | |
| And, Thomas, here’s my best respects to you! | | | | |
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