I stumbled upon this song from the WWII era. For the tune see links below.

$21 a Day--Once a Month

Performed by Dick Robertson
Recorded July 22, 1944
Written by Felix Benard, Ray Klages


You might have been a banker's son
You might have pushed a plow
It makes no difference what you were
You're in the army now
They wake you up at 5 o'clock in the morning
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
They take you for a hike without any warning
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
They put a pack upon your back
It almost weighs a ton
You march for miles and miles and miles
Oh boy, ain't you got fun!
For seven days a week
They build up your physique
For 21 dollars a day, once a month

You wake up with a grand and glorious feeling
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
The sergeant says, "c'mon, potatoes need peelin'"
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
Your feet will hurt, your back will ache
And you'll be musclebound
But all of this will disappear
When payday comes around
C'mon and do your bit
And hope the shoes'll fit
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
When you're not sitting down You stand at attention
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
You may wind up by even getting a pension
For 21 dollars a day, once a month

The girls will think you're wonderful
You'll take them all by storm
There's nothing in the world that get them
Like a uniform
The army is the spot
To show the stuff you've got
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
You'll have a lot of fun and plenty of training
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
ou won't have time to even think of complaining
For 21 dollars a day, once a month
So make the best of everything
And you'll be treated right
But don't expect the hostesses
To tuck you in at night

Go on and do your bit
And hope your clothes will fit
For 21 dollars a day, once a month

Cartoon version

Parody