I did say it was a guess. ;)

Here's a text from the mimeographed songbook of Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF-323 (not "VMP" as the typo says) from the Korean War.

The same squadron flew Corsairs during the battle of Okinawa, precisely at the time when Martin wrote his column. The songbook also includes a text of "Bless 'Em All," also mentioned.

                I Used to Work in Chicago

CHORUS:

I used to work in Chicago
In a department store
I use [sic] to work in Chicago
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some shoes
I asked her what kind at the door
Pumps she said and pump her I did
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some cake
I asked her what kind at the door
Hose [sic] she said and hose her I did
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some meat
I asked her what kind at the door
Pork she said and pork her I did
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some cloth
I asked her how much at the door
A yard she said but six inches she got
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some hardware
I asked her what kind at the door
Some screws she said and screw her I did
I did but I don't anymore

A lady came in and asked for some furs
I asked her what kind at the door
Fox she said and fox her I did
I did but I don't anymore


(Many of the puns are presumably improvised.)