The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #107483 Message #2228692
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
04-Jan-08 - 08:23 PM
Thread Name: Tune origins: The worms crawl in...
Subject: RE: Tune origins: The worms crawl in...
Irish Sergeant- I would imagine that in the military there were a number of verses sung to the tune. It would be interesting to collect those that are still in the memory of the living.
Dolph (reference above) gives words to one "Rogues' March" verse: Poor old soldier,
Poor old soldier,
He'll be tarred and feathered and sent to hell,
Because he wouldn't soldier well.
Separately, the score for the "Hearse Song" is given, no lyrics.
From the 65th Regiment song book: Tuppence I got for selling my cloak,
Tuppence for selling me blanket.
If ever I 'list for a soldier again,
Devil shall be me sergeant.
Poor old soldier, poor old soldier,
If ever i 'list for a soldier again,
Devil shall be me sergeant.
The site had a longer version, with the chorus: Poor old soldier, poor old soldier,
If I knew then what I know now,
I wouldn't have been so barmy.
Rogues
The text of the longer version is eaier to read at Robokopp: Poor Old Soldier The Rogues March
American Memory has a song sheet, "A New Arsecotcia Song; Composed by Old Betty Grey," to the tune "Rogues March." No date, but possibly near the War of 1812.