Classic Poem

I once knew a fellow named Arthur McBride,
And he and I rambled down by the seaside,
A-looking for pleasure or what might betide,
And the weather was pleasant and charming.

So gaily and gallant we went on our tramp,
And we met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp,
And the little wee fellow who roused up the camp
With his row-de-dow-dow in the morning.

" Good morning, young fellow," the sergeant he cried.
" And the same to you, sergeant," was all our reply.
There was nothing more spoken, we made to pass by,
And continue our walk in the morning.

" Well now, my fine fellows, if you will enlist,
A guinea in gold I will slap in your fist,
And a crown in the bargain to kick up the dust
And drink the Queen's health in the morning."

" Oh no, mister sergeant, we aren't for sale,
We'll make no such bargain, and your bribe won't avail.
We're not tired of our country, and don't care to sail,
Though your offer is pleasant and charming.

" If we were such fools as to take your advance,
It's right bloody slender would be our poor chance,
For the Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France
And get us all shot in the morning."

" How now, you young blackguards, if you say one more word,
I swear by the errins, I'll draw out my sword
And run through your bodies as my strength may afford.
So now, you young buggers, take warning."

Well we beat that bold drummer as flat as a shoe,
And we made a football of his row-de-dow-dow,
And as for the others we knocked out the two.
Oh, we were the boys in that morning.

We took the old weapons that hung by the side
And flung them as far as we could in the tide.
" May the devil go with you," says Arthur McBride,
" For delaying our walk this fine morning."