| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | The Sergeant’s Weddin’ |
| | | ’E WAS warned agin ’er— | |
| That’s what made ’im look; | |
| She was warned agin’ ’im— | |
| That is why she took. | |
| ’Wouldn’t ’ear no reason, | 5 |
| ’Went an’ done it blind; | |
| We know all about ’em, | |
| They’ve got all to find! | |
| |
| Cheer for the Sergeant’s weddin’— | |
| Give ’em one cheer more! | 10 |
| Grey gun-’orses in the lando, | |
| An’ a rogue is married to, etc. | |
| |
| What’s the use o’ tellin’ | |
| ’Arf the lot she’s been? | |
| ’E’s a bloomin’ robber, | 15 |
| An’ ’e keeps canteen. | |
| ’Ow did ’e get ’is buggy? | |
| Gawd, you needn’t ask! | |
| ’Made ’is forty gallon | |
| Out of every cask! | 20 |
| |
| Watch ’im, with ’is ’air cut, | |
| Count us filin’ by— | |
| Won’t the Colonel praise ’is | |
| Pop—u—lar—i—ty! | |
| We ’ave scores to settle— | 25 |
| Scores for more than beer; | |
| She’s the girl to pay ’em— | |
| That is why we’re ’ere! | |
| |
| See the Chaplain thinkin’? | |
| See the women smile? | 30 |
| Twig the married winkin’ | |
| As they take the aisle? | |
| Keep your side-arms quiet, | |
| Dressin’ by the Band. | |
| Ho! You ’oly beggars, | 35 |
| Cough be’ind your ’and! | |
| |
| Now it’s done an’ over, | |
| ’Ear the organ squeak, | |
| “’Voice that breathed o’er Eden”— | |
| Ain’t she got the cheek! | 40 |
| White an’ laylock ribbons, | |
| Think yourself so fine! | |
| I’d pray Gawd to take yer | |
| ’Fore I made yer mine! | |
| |
| Escort to the kerridge, | 45 |
| Wish ’im luck, the brute! | |
| Chuck the slippers after— | |
| [Pity ’t ain’t a boot!] | |
| Bowin’ like a lady, | |
| Blushin’ like a lad— | 50 |
| ’Oo would say to see ’em | |
| Both is rotten bad? | |
| |
| Cheer for the Sergeant’s weddin’— | |
| Give ’em one cheer more! | |
| Grey gun-’orses in the lando, | 55 |
| An’ a rogue is married to, etc. | | | | |
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