AT THE SOUND OF THE DRUM

Are you going for a soldier with your curly yellow hair,

And a scarlet coat instead of the smock you used to wear?

Are you going to drive the foe as you used to drive the plough?

Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier, and my tunic is of red

And I’ m tired of woman’ s chatter, and I’ ll hear the drum instead;

I will break the fighting line as you broke your plighted vow,

For I’ m going for a soldier now.

For a soldier, for a soldier are you sure that you will go,

To hear the drums a-beating and to hear the bugles blow?

I’ ll make you sweeter music, for I’ ll swear another vow —

Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier if you’ d twenty vows to make;

You must get another sweetheart, with another heart to break,

For I’ m sick of lies and women and the harrow and the plough,

And I’ m going for a soldier now!