IF down here I chance to die, | |
| Solemnly I beg you take | |
| All that is left of “I” | |
| To the Hills for old sake’s sake. | |
| Pack me very thoroughly | 5 |
| In the ice that used to slake | |
| Pegs I drank when I was dry— | |
| This observe for old sake’s sake. | |
| |
| To the railway station hie, | |
| There a single ticket take | 10 |
| For Umballa—goods-train—I | |
| Shall not mind delay or shake. | |
| I shall rest contentedly | |
| Spite of clamour coolies make; | |
| Thus in state and dignity | 15 |
| Send me up for old sake’s sake. | |
| |
| Next the sleepy Babu wake, | |
| Book a Kalka van “for four.” | |
| Few, I think, will care to make | |
| Journeys with me any more | 20 |
| As they used to do of yore. | |
| I shall need a “special brake”— | |
| ’Thing I never took before— | |
| Get me one for old sake’s sake. | |
| |
| After that—arrangements make. | 25 |
| No hotel will take me in, | |
| And a bullock’s back would break | |
| ’Neath the teak and leaden skin. | |
| Tonga-ropes are frail and thin, | |
| Or, did I a back-seat take, | 30 |
| In a tonga I might spin,— | |
| Do your best for old sake’s sake. | |
| |
| After that—your work is done. | |
| Recollect a Padre must | |
| Mourn the dear departed one— | 35 |
| Throw the ashes and the dust. | |
| Don’t go down at once. I trust | |
| You will find excuse to “snake | |
| Three days’ casual on the bust,”— 1 | |
| Get your fun for old sake’s sake. | 40 |
| |
| I could never stand the Plains. | |
| Think of blazing June and May, | |
| Think of those September rains | |
| Yearly till the Judgment Day! | |
| I should never rest in peace, | 45 |
| I should sweat and lie awake. | |
| Rail me then, on my decease, | |
| To the Hills of old sake’s sake! | |
