Ma Rosie say to me today, “You mus’ prepare, ol’ man, For to join de Allied army In de ranks of Honcle Sam.
De worl’ is full commotion Since explosion of de Hun, An’ de dev's to pay for Belgium An’ “position in de sun”.
I say, “all rat, ol’ woman, Let de summon come today, An’ you'll fin’ ol’ Joseph ready For to arm an’ march away!
I'm as good for carry knapsack An’ to shoulder up ma gun As I was in Reil rebellion On de far Saskatchewan.”
De home of ma adoption Is as good a place for me As across de line in Canadaw, Ma native counteree.
Ma work, ma home, ma frien's, are here — In fac’, de whol’ dem set! So w'at can I do but join wit you In de Guards of Lafayette!
I do n't care me for nobodda But stan’ up for w'at' s right, An’ if Honcle Sam he geeve de word An’ say we got to fight:
Good-bye ma work on Amoskeag, I leave it quick you bet, An’ join de boy wit’ utmos’ joy On de Guards of Lafayette!
So do n't mak’ fuss abo't dis cuss, An’ don’ be tak’ it hard If I, ol’ Joe, go soon to show Ma colors in de Guard.
You say I got some babby — I mus’ stay rat by dem? Nit! I will march beneat’ ol’ Glory In de Guards of Lafayette!
O ai n't it mak’ sensation On de streets of Manchestar W'en de order come from Honcle Sam To march us off to war.
Nobodda'll know dat dis is Joe From dear ol’ Nicolet, W'en off I march jus’ stiff lak starch In de Guards of Lafayette!
Dear Woodrow, would you be so good As send us Teddy R., To be commander of de chief An’ leader of de Guar’?
Dis war, ma friend, is quick to end If battle stage is set For bol’ Ted, on Armageddon Leading Guards of Lafayette!
O sure it's be proud day for me I nevair saw before, W'en Johnny Bull an’ Honcle Sam Fight sides by side once more!
It's mak’ one combination Dat's tarnation sure to win W'en Old Glory joins de Allies On dat rough road to Berlin!
Mos’ place I go dey ask me, “Joe, Who start dis gol darn war? Was it de Sultan-Kaiser, Or de Austro Hungry Tsar?”
I hanswer, “well, it's hard to tell Who start dis hell abroad, But spite of Hun, de gas an’ gun, We'll finish it, ba God!”
Den Rosie, dear, dry up de tear, An’ cheer up lak ma joy — You know de Hun is turn his gun On leetle girl an’ boy!
Now dat we mus’ join in de fuss And Honcle Sam say, “Get!” Jus’ wish us well an’ shout lak hell For de Guards of Lafayette!
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