Under the torches of the soap-box speakers, with
tambourines and drums of the Salvation Army for
marching tune, moved this battered rearguard of the
city's army. "Only a nickel on the drum . . . Are you
saved Sister, are you saved? . . . I am washed in the
blood of the Lamb . . . Just a dame, lady, for a bed
to-night...

1929. The Good Red Bricks by Mary Synon

See here: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Good_Red_Bricks/3TZHAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22nickel%20on%20the%20drum%22&pg=PA266&printsec=frontcover


The Salvation Army has been the butt of three folksongs: "Away Away
with Rum by Gum", "Throw a Nickel on the Drum", and the rare "Sister Anna
Carry the Banner". Perhaps all related to to the original "Salvation Army, Oh!" (1882)
(see here and here).