I'm goin' to be discharged, sir;
My time is near its close,
I want to tell you, cap'en,
You're the best the country grows.
They ain't no man in all the world
Can beat the army man,
That wears the shiny leggins and
That does the best he can.
I've seen them, sir, in battle
With the bullets flyin' round,
I've seen them lying wounded
With the blood-stains on the ground.
I've watched them when the fever
Was a-ragin' in the camp,
I've seen them nurse the cholera--
A-wrestling with the cramp.
I've seen them pin to that ol' flag
Another glory more,
That made the stripes look brighter
Than they ever did before.
They weren't winning V.C.'s, either,
But because the country said
For them to go, they went.
They done it or they're dead.
We've lots of men of this kind an'
Of course, we've some that ain't,
We'll cover up their faces
In the picture that we paint.
I'll follow men like you, sir;
You can't go too fast an' far,
You're officers and gentlemen
Like Congress says you are.
I wish I could re-up, sir,
Till you get your silver stars,
I'm sure you'll do them credit, sir,
As you have done the bars.
I know I shouldn't talk so much,
But somehow I'm inclined,
On leavin' the old outfit
Just to speak the company's mind.