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THE BALEFUL BARD
Or The Muse Munition-Making
TIME was when squatting in a noisome ditch,
I used to while away monotonous days
By writing many doggerel lyrics, which
Were set to various untuneful lays,
And the rude soldiery who heard them sung
In billets, when we rested from the fight,
Picked up the words from me, and then gave tongue
Waking with discord all the quiet night,
And sang them, thinking it tremendous fun,
Unto the musical and writhing Hun.
I used to while away monotonous days
By writing many doggerel lyrics, which
Were set to various untuneful lays,
And the rude soldiery who heard them sung
In billets, when we rested from the fight,
Picked up the words from me, and then gave tongue
Waking with discord all the quiet night,
And sang them, thinking it tremendous fun,
Unto the musical and writhing Hun.
And I’ve been told, and can believe it true,
That once, as they intoned these songs of mine,
The Germans heard and trembled, for they knew
What men were these who came into the line,
And sent a message to our Colonel,
That once, as they intoned these songs of mine,
The Germans heard and trembled, for they knew
What men were these who came into the line,
And sent a message to our Colonel,
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