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"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.
- For they're hanging' Danny Deever, you can 'ear the Dead
March play,
- The regiment's in 'hollow 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
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.
- They are hanging' 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 asneakin' 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
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.
- They are hanging' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is
place,
- For 'e shot a comrade sleepin'--you must look 'im in the
face;
- Nine hundred 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 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.
- For they're done with Danny Deever, you can 'ear the
quickstep play.
- The regiment's in column an' they're marchin' us
away;
- Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an' they'll want
their beer to-day,
- After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!
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