My transcription from the recording at YouTube:


MY OLD SOLDIER
As recorded by Ruth Wallis, 1953.

I fell in love with a soldier,
And the uniform that he wore.
Yes, I fell in love with with a soldier,
From the Spanish-American war.

I married a man of eighty years.
He's makin' our love-life a career.
My old soldier always tries; he isn't fading away.

I said yes at his persuasion.
I never thought he'd rise to the occasion,
But my old soldier always tries until the break of day.

He's got a lot of money; I thought he'd leave it all to me,
But at the rate we're goin', I won't live as long as he.

When we wed, he looked so frail,
But now it's all a brand-new tale.
My old soldier always tries; he isn't fading away.

He's eighty years old but he's still naughty.
He's more trouble than two of forty.
He says he must get exercise; he always wants to play.

We took a cruise, just he and me.
I never got to see the sea.
I've often tried to analyze why he doesn't fade away.

He used to use a wheelchair; he was so weak you see,
But now he swings from a chandelier and the chair he's savin' for me.

And while I'm takin' such a beatin',
I hear rumors he's also cheatin'.
Oh, where does he get the strength? He'll never fade away.

He reminds me of my old homestead; his rooftop is covered with snow.
His whole frame squeaks and the plumbing leaks, but there's still a fire below.

He used to have a million ills.
Now I'm takin' all of his old pills.
My old soldier is a prize; he'll never fade away.

He's got some old ammunition
That he saved from years gone by,
But he says it's in good condition
Because he kept his powder dry.

He drives me bananas with his demands.
With such monkeyshines, I need monkey glands.
My old soldier never closes his eyes and it's me who is fading away.