Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/379

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
TROOPIN'
195

The Malabar's in 'arbour with the Jumner at 'er tail,
An' the time-expired's waitin' of 'is orders for to sail.
Ho! the weary waitin' when on Khyber 'ills we lay,
But the time-expired's waitin' for 'is orders 'ome to-day.


They'll turn us out at Portsmouth wharf in cold an' wet an' rain,
All wearin' Injian cotton kit, but we will not complain;
They'll kill us of pneumonia—for that's their little way—
But damn the chills and fever, men, we're goin' 'ome to-day!


Troopin', troopin', winter's round again!
See the new draf's pourin' in for the old campaign;
Ho, you poor recruities, but you've got to earn your pay—
What's the last from Lunnon, lads? We're goin' there to-day.


Troopin', troopin', give another cheer—

'Ere's to English women an' a quart of English beer;