Robert Morris Peck, "Rough Riding on the Plains Fifty Years Ago: A Trooper's Story," National Tribune (Washington, D.C.), May 16, 1901 [Referring to Fort Riley, Kans., 1858-59]:

"One of Ike's favorites was:

I would not die in Springtime,
   When the worms begin to crawl,
When the cabbage plants are sprouting,
   And the frogs begin to squall;
O, then the girls the bloomers wear,
   And smile upon the men;
That's the time to stick it out --
   I would not perish then.

"And so on through the four seasons, proving conclusively that there was no time appropriate for dying.

"In another chorus he would sing:

I'll eat when I'm hungry,
   And drink when I'm dry;
If the Indians don't kill me,
   I'll live till I die."