The Battle
[All the children march, each singing a verse in turn, and all joining in the refrain.]
I am a German,
Marching, marching.
I am a German,
Tum tum tum!
Musket on shoulder,
Who could be bolder,
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
Chorus. Bang! bang! bang!
Hear the muskets rattle!
Bang! bang! bang! bang!
Now we’ll have a battle.
Shoot ’em through the head,
Run ’em through the body!
He who runs away
Is called a Hoddy-Doddy.1
[Repeat after each verse.]
I am a Frenchman,
Marching, marching.
I am a Frenchman,
Tum tum tum!
First at the front,
I will bear the battle’s brunt,
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
I am an Englishman,
Marching, marching.
I am an Englishman,
Tum tum tum!
Let the foeman meet me!
Where’s the one to beat me?
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
I am an Irishman,
Marching, marching.
I am an Irishman,
Tum tum tum!
When the battle’s ready,
Who’ll be there but Paddy?
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
[All together.]
We are the regiment,
Marching, marching.
We are the regiment,
Tum tum tum!
Let the trumpets blow,
As we rush to meet the foe,
With a tan tan tara! at the sound of the drum.
Notes
1 “Though you’re such a Hoddy-Doddy!”—Edward Lear.