Nowadays at Nijmegen you're likely to hear that one sung by the Dutch, but not by the Canadians or Americans.

The stars have aligned themselves in my favour, and it looks like I will be marching at Nijmegen after all, but on an international team rather than one of the Canadian Forces teams.

Here's one that I wrote last year for my Nijmegen team, to the tune of "Johnny Come Down to Hilo". Local references: CADPAT = Canadian Disruptive Pattern camouflage; the Rideau is the Rideau River that joins the Ottawa River not very far from my house:

JOHNNY COME DOWN THE RIDEAU

I ain't never seen the like since I've been born,
Canadian soldier with his rucksack on,
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

CHORUS:

Oh wake her, oh shake her!
Shake that gal with the CADPAT on!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

I heard the Sergeant-Major say
I like marching every day!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Oh, get your ass up off your rack
Cause we're marching there and we're marching back!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Oh, life is good and life is sweet
When you've got blisters on both your feet!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

I don't go marching for the cash.
I only do it 'cause I like heat rash!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Oh, I got a gal across the sea,
She's a marching fool and she says to me
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

I wish we'd march the civilian way,
And stop at Timmie's nine times a day!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

I heard my team leader shout
My toenail's black and it's falling out!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

You ask me how we deal with pain.
The secret is we have no brain!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Why do I march in any weather?
It's just because I like black leather!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Oh, you don't need drugs, you don't need a pill.
You'll never get sick if you just do drill!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!

Oh, when it rains, it's a damn sure bet
That the infantry is getting wet!
Johnny come down the Rideau, poor old man!