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Veteran's Day, 2008
Tommy
Rudyard Kipling
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
I am the Infantry--Queen of Battle!
For two centuries I have kept our Nation safe,
Purchasing freedom with my blood.
To tyrants, I am the day of reckoning;
to the suppressed, the hope for the future.
Where the fighting is thick, there am I…
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I was there from the beginning, meeting the enemy face to face, will to will.
My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; my frozen hands pulled Washington across the Delaware.
At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword and I, begrimed…
Saw a Nation born.
Hardship… And glory I have known.
At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, showed the fury of my long rifle…and came of age.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Westward I pushed with wagon trains… moved an empire across the plains… extended freedom's borders and tamed the wild frontier.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I was with Scott at Vera Cruz… hunted the guerilla in the mountain passes… and scaled the high plateau.
The fighting was done when I ended my march many miles from the old Alamo.
From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled.
Both Blue and Gray were my colors then.
Two masters I served and united them strong… proved that this nation could right a wrong… and long endure.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I led the charge up San Juan Hill… scaled the walls of old Tientsin… and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still… always the vanguard,
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne.
It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line… in the Argonne, I broke the Kaiser's spine… and didn't come back 'till is was "over, over there."
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return.
Assaulted the African shore… learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands… pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio… and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
The English channel, stout beach defenses and the hedgerows could not hold me…
I broke out at St. Lo, unbent the Bulge… vaulted the Rhine… and swarmed the Heartland.
Hitler's dream and the Third Reich were dead.
In the Pacific, from island to island… hit the beaches and chopped through swamp and jungle…
I set the Rising Sun.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan… swept across the frozen Han… outflanked the Reds at Inchon… and marched to the Yalu.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
In Vietnam, while others turned aside, I fought the longest fight, from the Central Highlands to the South China Sea
I patrolled the jungle, the paddies and the sky in the bitter test that belongs to the Infantry.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Around the world, I stand… ever forward.
Over Lebanon's sands, my rifle steady aimed… and calm returned. At Berlin's gates,
I scorned the Wall of Shame.
I spanned the Caribbean in freedom's cause, answered humanity's call.
I trod the streets of Santo Domingo to protect the innocent.
In Grenada, I jumped at Salinas, and proclaimed freedom for all.
My arms set a Panamanian dictator to flight and once more raised democracy's flag.
In the Persian Gulf, I drew the line in the desert, called the tyrant's bluff and restored right and freedom in 100 hours.
Duty called, I answered.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
My bayonet… on the wings of power… keeps the peace worldwide.
And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter… hide.
My ally in the paddies and the forest… I teach, I aid, I lead.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Where brave men fight… there fight I.
In freedom's cause… I live, I die.
From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge,
from the Arctic to the Mekong, to the Caribbean
the Queen of Battle!
Always ready… then, now, and forever.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Thanks to all my fellow vets.
Rudyard Kipling
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
I am the Infantry--Queen of Battle!
For two centuries I have kept our Nation safe,
Purchasing freedom with my blood.
To tyrants, I am the day of reckoning;
to the suppressed, the hope for the future.
Where the fighting is thick, there am I…
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I was there from the beginning, meeting the enemy face to face, will to will.
My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; my frozen hands pulled Washington across the Delaware.
At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword and I, begrimed…
Saw a Nation born.
Hardship… And glory I have known.
At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, showed the fury of my long rifle…and came of age.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Westward I pushed with wagon trains… moved an empire across the plains… extended freedom's borders and tamed the wild frontier.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I was with Scott at Vera Cruz… hunted the guerilla in the mountain passes… and scaled the high plateau.
The fighting was done when I ended my march many miles from the old Alamo.
From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled.
Both Blue and Gray were my colors then.
Two masters I served and united them strong… proved that this nation could right a wrong… and long endure.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I led the charge up San Juan Hill… scaled the walls of old Tientsin… and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still… always the vanguard,
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne.
It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line… in the Argonne, I broke the Kaiser's spine… and didn't come back 'till is was "over, over there."
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return.
Assaulted the African shore… learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands… pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio… and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
The English channel, stout beach defenses and the hedgerows could not hold me…
I broke out at St. Lo, unbent the Bulge… vaulted the Rhine… and swarmed the Heartland.
Hitler's dream and the Third Reich were dead.
In the Pacific, from island to island… hit the beaches and chopped through swamp and jungle…
I set the Rising Sun.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan… swept across the frozen Han… outflanked the Reds at Inchon… and marched to the Yalu.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
In Vietnam, while others turned aside, I fought the longest fight, from the Central Highlands to the South China Sea
I patrolled the jungle, the paddies and the sky in the bitter test that belongs to the Infantry.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Around the world, I stand… ever forward.
Over Lebanon's sands, my rifle steady aimed… and calm returned. At Berlin's gates,
I scorned the Wall of Shame.
I spanned the Caribbean in freedom's cause, answered humanity's call.
I trod the streets of Santo Domingo to protect the innocent.
In Grenada, I jumped at Salinas, and proclaimed freedom for all.
My arms set a Panamanian dictator to flight and once more raised democracy's flag.
In the Persian Gulf, I drew the line in the desert, called the tyrant's bluff and restored right and freedom in 100 hours.
Duty called, I answered.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
My bayonet… on the wings of power… keeps the peace worldwide.
And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter… hide.
My ally in the paddies and the forest… I teach, I aid, I lead.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Where brave men fight… there fight I.
In freedom's cause… I live, I die.
From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge,
from the Arctic to the Mekong, to the Caribbean
the Queen of Battle!
Always ready… then, now, and forever.
I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
Thanks to all my fellow vets.
Rendezvous
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air--
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath--
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.
God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear . . .
But I've a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous
Scouts Out!
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and if you look on youtube, theres an interesting recitation of Tommy done by Roger Moore
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