A simple ditty Private Smithy sang for me,
Entitled “Beans.”... The tune was not a joy;
The words were commonplace as they could be,
But just to hear his earnest voice — “Oh, Boy!”
When first I went a-sojerin’
I could n't eat the stuff
The cookies gave the bunch of us,
For it was rough and tough.
But since I've been a-sojerin’
And learned what livin’ means
The grub we get tastes mighty good,
E-special-lee th’ beans,
Especially th’ beans!
We all were soft and flabby —
Our hands and muscles, too —
We had been used to easy things
To eat, to think, to do.
But when we tackled trench work,
With all that diggin’ means,
We learned to like the sojer grub,
E-special-lee th’ beans,
Especially th’ beans.
So now we're very diff'rent
When mess-call comes around;
We've got our appetites all set
A-waitin’ for that sound;
It's always “second helpin's”
Behind the mess-tent screens;
We're glad for Uncle Sam's good grub,
E-special-lee th’ beans,
Especially th’ beans!
A very simple ditty, you'll agree with me;
A commonplace production; but the joy
And unction that he puts into the melody,
The splendid appetite he sings — Oh, Boy!