⁠An' the colonel broke 'is sword acrost, an' cried.

We was rotten 'fore we started—we was never disciplined;
⁠We made it out a favour if an order was obeyed;
Yes, every little drummer 'ad 'is rights an' wrongs to mind,
⁠So we had to pay for teachin'—an' we paid!

The papers 'id it 'andsome, but you know the Army knows;
⁠We was put to groomin' camels till the regiments withdrew,
An' they gave us each a medal for subduin' England's foes,
An' I 'ope you like my song—because it's true!

⁠An' there ain't no chorus 'ere to give,
⁠Nor there ain't no band to play;
⁠But I wish I was dead 'fore I done what I did,
⁠Or seen what I seed that day!