From The Norwich Minstrel compiled by J. S. Wells (Norwich: J. S. Wells, 1831), page 183:


WHEN I WAS AN INFANT.

1. When I was an infant gossips would say,
I'd, when older,
Be a soldier,
Rattle and toys, I'd throw 'em away,
Unless a gun or a sabre,
When a younker up I grew,
Saw, one day, a grand review.
Colours flying,
Set me dying,
To embark in a life so new.

CHORUS: Roll drums merrily, march away,
Soldiers' glory
Lives in story,
His laurels are green, when his locks are grey,
Then hey for the life of a soldier.

2. 'Listed, to battle I march'd along,
Courting danger,
Fear a stranger,
The cannon beat time to the trumpet's song,
And made my heart a hero's.
"Charge!" the gallant leaders cry,
On, like lions, then we fly;
Blood and Thunder,
Foes knock under,
Then huzza for victory!

3. Who so merry as we in camp,
Battle over,
Live in clover,
Care and his cronies are forc'd to tramp,
And all is social pleasure.
Then we laugh, we quaff, we sing,
Time goes gaily on the wing,
Smiles of beauty,
Sweeten duty,
And each private is a king!