American Old Time Song Lyrics: 19 The Soldiers Song, From Erminie
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 19
The Soldier's Song, from "Erminie."
Dull is the life of the soldier in peace,
With hateful routine until war brings release;
Harsh discipline trammels the freedom, we know,
. What better than that in the fact; of the foe?
The soldier has learnt he must bridle his will,
Submit without murmur to vigorous drill;
But the summons to war is the soldier's reward,
Joy to brighten his corslet, his helmet and sword.
Chorus.
All for glory the soldier's life,
From the conflict scorning e'er to flee;
The hero's aim is fame in strife,
In love, in war the victor he.
Glad is the heart at the sternest campaign,
For we've nothing to lose, and we've plenty to gain;
To rush midst the steel, midst the smoke and the llanic,
To carve with our sabre a pathway to fame.
We've learnt to obey, and until we are told,
We dream not of leaving the posts that we hold;
We'd fall where we stand, till the warning sound comes
Of recall, in the music of bugles and drums.-Chorus