If we take it as read....

[abu nuwas]

I like this one -- I am sure not everyone will pick up its many layers!



Danny Deever

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)

“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 hangin’ Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play,
The regiment’s in ’ollow 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 that front-rank man fall down?” says Files-on-Parade.
“A touch o’ sun, a touch o’ sun,” the Color-Sergeant said.
They are hangin’ 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 a sneakin’ 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 ’is beer a score o’ times,” said Files-on-Parade.
“’E’s drinkin’ bitter beer alone,” the Color-Sergeant said.
They are hangin’ Danny Deever, you must mark ’im to ’is place,
For ’e shot a comrade sleepin’—you must look ’im in the face;
Nine ’undred 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’ Dannv Deever in the mornin’.


















CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC