Here are the lyrics from the singing of Dominic Behan. Not much different from the words given previously as it happens. I'm surprised it's not in the DigiTrad. The previous post notwithstanding, I was always under the impression that the song was written by Behan's uncle, Peadar Kearney. I could be wrong, of course - it's happened before.


THE RECRUITING SERGEANT
As recorded by Dominic Behan on "Easter Monday: Songs of the IRA" (2012)

As I was going down the street, feeling fine and larky-o,
A recruiting sergeant said to me: "Now you'd look fine in khaki-o.
The King he is in need of men; come read his proclamation-o.
A life in Flanders for you then will be a fine vacation-o."

"That may be so," says I to him, "but tell me, sergeant dearie-o:
If I'd a pack stuck on me back, do you think I'd look fine and cheery-o?
You'd make me train and drill until you had me one of French's-o.
It may be warm in Flanders but it's draughty in the trenches-o."

The sergeant swung his wee-bit cane; his smile was most provoking-o.
He twiddled and twiddled his wee mustache; says he: "I know you're joking-o.
The sandbags are so nice and high, the wind you'll ne'er feel blowing-o."
But I winked at a colleen passing by; says I: "What if it's snowing-o?

"Yet rain or hail or wind or snow, we're not going out to Flanders-o.
There's fighting in Dublin to be done; let your sergeants and commanders go.
Let Englishmen for England fight; 'tis just about time they started-o."
I wished the sergeant a jolly good night and there and then we parted-o.