[_All the children march, each singing a verse in turn, and all
joining in the refrain._]
I am a German,
Marching, marching.
I am a German,
Tum tum tum!
Musket on shoulder,
Who could be bolder,
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
_Chorus_. Bang! bang! bang!
Hear the muskets rattle!
Bang! bang! bang! bang!
Now we'll have a battle.
Shoot 'em through the head,
Run 'em through the body!
He who runs away
Is called a Hoddy-Doddy.[1]
[_Repeat after each verse._]
I am a Frenchman,
Marching, marching.
I am a Frenchman,
Tum tum tum!
First at the front,
I will bear the battle's brunt,
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
I am an Englishman,
Marching, marching.
I am an Englishman,
Tum tum tum!
Let the foeman meet me!
Where's the one to beat me?
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
I am an Irishman,
Marching, marching.
I am an Irishman,
Tum tum tum!
When the battle's ready,
Who'll be there but Paddy?
Tramping away at the sound of the drum.
[_All together._]
We are the regiment,
Marching, marching.
We are the regiment,
Tum tum tum!
Let the trumpets blow,
As we rush to meet the foe,
With a tan tan tara! at the sound of the drum.
[1] "Though you're such a Hoddy-Doddy!"--_Edward Lear._