I`m `ere in a ticky ulster an` a broken billycock `at,
A-layin` on to the sergeant I don`t know a gun from a bat;
My shirt`s doin` duty for jacket, my sock`s stickin` out o` my boots,
An` I`m learnin` the damned old goose-step along o` the new recruits!
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again.
Don`t look so `ard, for I `aven`t no card,
I`m back to the Army again!
I done my six years` service. `Er Majesty sez: "Good-day --
You`ll please to come when you`re rung for, an` `ere`s your `ole back-pay;
An` fourpence a day for baccy -- an` bloomin` gen`rous, too;
An` now you can make your fortune -- the same as your orf`cers do."
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again;
`Ow did I learn to do right-about turn?
I`m back to the Army again!
A man o` four-an`-twenty that `asn`t learned of a trade --
Beside "Reserve" agin` him -- `e`d better be never made.
I tried my luck for a quarter, an` that was enough for me,
An` I thought of `Er Majesty`s barricks, an` I thought I`d go an` see.
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again;
`Tisn`t my fault if I dress when I `alt --
I`m back to the Army again!
The sergeant arst no questions, but `e winked the other eye,
`E sez to me, "`Shun!" an` I shunted, the same as in days gone by;
For `e saw the set o` my shoulders, an` I couldn`t `elp `oldin` straight
When me an` the other rookies come under the barrick-gate.
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again;
`Oo would ha` thought I could carry an` port?
I`m back to the Army again!
I took my bath, an` I wallered -- for, Gawd, I needed it so!
I smelt the smell o` the barricks, I `eard the bugles go.
I `eard the feet on the gravel -- the feet o` the men what drill --
An` I sez to my flutterin` `eart-strings, I sez to `em, "Peace, be still!"
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again;
`Oo said I knew when the ~Jumner~ was due?
I`m back to the Army again!
I carried my slops to the tailor; I sez to `im, "None o` your lip!
You tight `em over the shoulders, an` loose `em over the `ip,
For the set o` the tunic`s `orrid." An` `e sez to me, "Strike me dead,
But I thought you was used to the business!" an` so `e done what I said.
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again.
Rather too free with my fancies? Wot -- me?
I`m back to the Army again!
Next week I`ll `ave `em fitted; I`ll buy me a swagger-cane;
They`ll let me free o` the barricks to walk on the Hoe again
In the name o` William Parsons, that used to be Edward Clay,
An` -- any pore beggar that wants it can draw my fourpence a day!
Back to the Army again, sergeant,
Back to the Army again:
Out o` the cold an` the rain, sergeant,
Out o` the cold an` the rain.
`Oo`s there?
A man that`s too good to be lost you,
A man that is `andled an` made --
A man that will pay what `e cost you
In learnin` the others their trade -- parade!
You`re droppin` the pick o` the Army
Because you don`t `elp `em remain,
But drives `em to cheat to get out o` the street
An` back to the Army again!