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Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads

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THE U. S. A. RECRUIT (p. 249) Now list to my song, it will not take me long, And in some things with me you'll agree; A young man so green came in from Moline, And enlisted a soldier to be. He had lots of pluck, on himself he was stuck, In his Government straights he looked "boss," And he chewed enough beans for a hoss. He was a rookey, so flukey, He was a jim dandy you all will agree, He said without fear, "Before I'm a year In the Army, great changes you'll see." He was a stone thrower, a foam blower, He was a Loo Loo you bet, He stood on his head and these words gently said, "I'll be second George Washington yet." At his post he did land, they took him in hand, The old bucks they all gathered 'round, Saying "Give us your fist; where did you enlist? You'll take on again I'll be bound; I've a blanket to sell, it will fit you quite well, I'll sell you the whole or a piece. I've a dress coat to trade, or a helmet unmade, It will do you for kitchen police." Then (p. 250) the top said, "My Son, here is a gun, Just heel ball that musket up bright. In a few days or more you'll be rolling in gore, A-chasing wild Goo Goos to flight. There'll be fighting, you see, and blood flowing free, We'll send you right on to the front; And never you fear, if you're wounded, my dear, You'll be pensioned eight dollars per month." He was worried so bad, he blew in all he had; He went on a drunk with goodwill. And the top did report, "One private short." When he showed up he went to the mill. The proceedings we find were a ten dollar blind, Ten dollars less to blow foam. This was long years ago, and this rookey you know Is now in the old soldiers' home. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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