Rudyard Kipling

Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling

Publisher Marketing: What are the bugles blowin' for? said Files-on-Parade. To turn you out, to turn you out, the Colour-Sergeant said. What makes you look so white, so white? said Files-on-Parade. I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch, the Colour-Sergeant said. For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play, The regiment's in 'ollow square-they're hangin' him to-day; They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away, An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'. What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard? said Files-on-Parade. It's bitter cold, it's bitter cold, the Colour-Sergeant said. What makes that front-rank man fall down? said Files-on-Parade. A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun, the Colour-Sergeant said. They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round, They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground; An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneakin' shootin' hound- O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin' 'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine, said Files-on-Parade. 'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night, the Colour-Sergeant said. I've drunk 'is beer a score o' times, said Files-on-Parade. 'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone, the Colour-Sergeant said.