_Well, Bill has joined the navy,
His vessel sailed today.
He heard a ship’s band playing
One night across the bay.
He hurried to the office
And entered the command.
He had to take the navy,
You see, to get the band.
He was that way in childhood.
When the town band would play,
Bill would just start out with it
And follow it all day.
He’ll have to peel potatoes
And scrub the decks by hand;
But he will think it’s worth it
If he can hear the band_.