Archive of Classic Poems

BARRACK-ROOM BALLADS


       When 'Omer smote 'is bloomin' lyre,
    He'd 'eard men sing by land an' sea;
       An' what he thought 'e might require,
    'E went an' took -- the same as me!

       The market-girls an' fishermen,
    The shepherds an' the sailors, too,
       They 'eard old songs turn up again,
       But kep' it quiet -- same as you!

       They knew 'e stole; 'e knew they knowed.
    They didn't tell, nor make a fuss,
       But winked at 'Omer down the road,
    An' 'e winked back -- the same as us!