Danny Deever
by Rudyard Kipling
"What are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-on-Parade.
"To turn you out, to turn you out," the Color-Sergeant said.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on-Parade.
"I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch," the Color-Sergeant said.
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For they're hanging' Danny Deever, you can 'ear the Dead March play,
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The regiment's in 'hollow square--they're hangin' him to-day;
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They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away,
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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 Color-Sergeant said.
"What makes the front-rank man fall down?" said Files-on-Parade.
"A touch of sun, a touch of sun," the Color-Sergeant said.
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They are hanging' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round,
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They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground;
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An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for asneakin' shootin' hound--
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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 Color-Sergeant said.
"I've drunk 'his beer a score o' times," said Files-on-Parade.
" 'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone," the Color-Sergeant said.
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They are hanging' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is place,
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For 'e shot a comrade sleepin'--you must look 'im in the face;
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Nine hundred of 'is county an' the regiment's disgrace,
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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 Color-Sergeant said.
"What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny's soul that's passin' now," the Color-Sergeant said.
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For they're done with Danny Deever, you can 'ear the quickstep play.
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The regiment's in column an' they're marchin' us away;
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Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an' they'll want their beer to-day,
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After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!