Rudyard Kipling

Barrack Room Ballads Rudyard Kipling

"What are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-on-Parade."To turn you out, to turn you out", the Colour-Sergeant said."What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on-Parade."I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch", the Colour-Sergeant said. For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play, The regiment's in 'ollow square-they're hangin' him to-day; They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away, An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'."What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard?" said Files-on-Parade."It's bitter cold, it's bitter cold", the Colour-Sergeant said."What makes that front-rank man fall down?" said Files-on-Parade."A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun", the Colour-Sergeant said. They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round, They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground; An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneakin' shootin' hound-O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!"'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine", said Files-on-Parade."'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night", the Colour-Sergeant said."I've drunk 'is beer a score o' times", said Files-on-Parade."'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone", the Colour-Sergeant said. They are hangin' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is place, For 'e shot a comrade sleepin'-you must look 'im in the face; Nine 'undred of 'is county an' the regiment's disgrace, While they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'."What's that so black agin' the sun?" said Files-on-Parade."It's Danny fightin' 'ard for life", the Colour-Sergeant said."What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said Files-on-Parade."It's Danny's soul that's passin' now", the Colour-Sergeant