American Old Time Song Lyrics: 61 In The Ranks

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 61

IN THE RANKS.
Copyright, 1898, by Philip Kussel.

Borne little boys were playing soldiers on the sidewalk-there they stood;
Now which one is to be our captain, for he must be brave and good;
Then each one wanted to be leader, all except the smallest lad:
"Surely we can't all be captains, some must privates be," he said.

Refrain.
in the ranks you'll find the men as brave
As ever drew the breath of life;
Tho' they know that death is close at hand,
You'll find them eager for the strife.
When the last roll-call sounds clear and loud,
And the soldier is at rest.
Let the starry banner tell to all
in Its honor he Is blessed.

The years have flown, the boys are men now, some have fought & won fair fame;
While some are sleeping on the hillside, and we'll never see them again.
They with others joined the soldiers when their country needed men,
And did battle for that freedom which we all love, now as then.-Ref

A Farmer Never Can an Actor Be.
Copyright, 1897, by Smith Piano Co.
Words by Fred Cohn. Music by John A. Thomas.

John Reuben from the country thought he'd to the city go,
"I'm tired of the farm," said he, "I'm going to join a show,
A real live actor I will be, my fame It shall resound."
"Oh, what a fool." the neighbors said, "no bigger can be found."
So to an actor's boarding-house in the city Reuben went.
The show-folks guyed him all day long, he didn't mind a cent.
"I'm looking for a good soubrette with me to do a turn,"
They introduced him "Polly Jones," and from her he did learn: