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1858–1924

AT THE SOUND OF THE DRUM

Edith Nesbit

Are you going for a soldier with your curly yellow hair, And a scarlet coat instead of the smock you used to wear? Are you going to drive the foe as you used to drive the plough? Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier, and my tunic is of red And I’ m tired of woman’ s chatter, and I’ ll hear the drum instead; I will break the fighting line as you broke your plighted vow, For I’ m going for a soldier now.

For a soldier, for a soldier are you sure that you will go, To hear the drums a-beating and to hear the bugles blow? I’ ll make you sweeter music, for I’ ll swear another vow — Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier if you’ d twenty vows to make; You must get another sweetheart, with another heart to break, For I’ m sick of lies and women and the harrow and the plough, And I’ m going for a soldier now!

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AT THE SOUND OF THE DRUM · Edith Nesbit · Poetry Cove