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(In the Lodge of Instruction)
THE MEN that fought at Minden, they was rookies in their time— | |
| So was them that fought at Waterloo! | |
| All the ’ole command, yuss, from Minden to Maiwand, | |
| They was once dam’ sweeps like you! | |
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| Then do not be discouraged, ’Eaven is your ’elper, | 5 |
| We’ll learn you not to forget; | |
| An’ you mustn’t swear an’ curse, or you’ll only catch it worse, | |
| For we’ll make you soldiers yet! | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they ’ad stocks beneath their chins, | |
| Six inch ’igh an’ more; | 10 |
| But fatigue it was their pride, and they would not be denied | |
| To clean the cook-’ouse floor. | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they had anarchistic bombs | |
| Served to ’em by name of ’and-grenades; | |
| But they got it in the eye (same as you will by-an’-by) | 15 |
| When they clubbed their field-parades. | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they ’ad buttons up an’ down, | |
| Two-an’-twenty dozen of ’em told; | |
| But they didn’t grouse an’ shirk at an hour’s extry work, | |
| They kept ’em bright as gold. | 20 |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they was armed with musketoons, | |
| Also, they was drilled by ’alberdiers; | |
| I don’t know what they were, but the sergeants took good care | |
| They washed be’ind their ears. | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they ’ad ever cash in ’and | 25 |
| Which they did not bank nor save, | |
| But spent it gay an’ free on their betters—such as me— | |
| For the good advice I gave. | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they was civil—yuss, they was— | |
| Never didn’t talk o’ rights an’ wrongs, | 30 |
| But they got it with the toe (same as you will get it—so!)— | |
| For interrupting songs. | |
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| The men that fought at Minden, they was several other things | |
| Which I don’t remember clear; | |
| But that’s the reason why, now the six-year men are dry | 35 |
| The rooks will stand the beer! | |
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| Then do not be discouraged, ’Eaven is your ’elper, | |
| We’ll learn you not to forget. | |
| An’ you mustn’t swear an’ curse, or you’ll only catch it worse, | |
| And we’ll make you soldiers yet? | 40 |
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| Soldiers yet, if you’ve got it in you— | |
| All for the sake of the Core; | |
| Soldiers yet, if we ’ave to skin you— | |
| Run an’ get the beer, Johnny Raw—Johnny Raw! | |
| Ho! run an’ get the beer, Johnny Raw! | 45 |
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