Rhymes of the Rookies: Sunny Side of Soldier Service — John Shaqi
Rhymes of the Rookies: Sunny Side of Soldier ServiceChristian, W. E.
History
Rhymes of the Rookies: Sunny Side of Soldier Service
Christian, W. E.
Soldiers -- Poetry; Spanish-American War, 1898 -- Poetry; World War, 1914-1918 -- Poetry
This is the Land
That God forgot.
Arizona.
This is the land
That the Devil be-got.
Arizona.
In respects, it's possibly
Better than Hell,
In Naco.
Hot air, mixed
With sulphur smell,
In Naco.
There every acre
Is desert sand,
To take the place
Of the "Brim-stone" Land.
In Hell.
Also, we have the Prickley-pear,
In Naco.
Sage-brush and cacti
That might compare
To pitch-forks.
But should you ask me
Where I'd dwell--
Naco, or in that place below--
Just three words
From my mouth would flow:
"Me for Hell."
Conditions are settled
Down in Hell;
While on the Border,
You never can tell.
Arizona!
Hell, yes!
No watchful waiting,
No peace at a price,
Like Naco.
The Devil's policy
Is firm and concise,
In Hell.
No friendly raids,
Nor Mexican strife;
Like Naco.
One's die is cast:
To boil for Life,
In Hell.
In case of trouble,
Of any kind,--
The Devil acts
Without change of mind.
Naco--Hell.
Think of the wonderful
Peace Sublime,
In Hell.
I only wish
That peace were mine.
ROUTINE
(From a Marine's Diary.)
5:05 A. M.--FIRST CALL
I heard the First Call sound, and then--
Just yawned and went to sleep again.
5:10 A. M.--REVEILLE
At Reveille I shook the dope,
Broke out a towel and a hunk of soap.
5:20 A. M.--ROLL CALL
My name rang out upon the air;
I hollered, "Here," for I was "there."
5:25 A. M.--SETTING-UP EXERCISE
Took exercise, without a rest;
I like the Breathing Movement best.
5:45 A. M.--CHOW
Oh, what a difference breakfast makes!
'Twas Punk and Java, Dog and Cakes.
6:10 A. M.--FIRST CALL FOR DRILL
First call for Drill reminded me--
I'll try the rear rank--"number three."
6:20 A. M.--DRILL
Street Riot Drill and Company square;
I nearly went up in the air.
7:20 A. M.--RECALL FROM DRILL
Recall was music to my ears;
I hadn't felt so tired for years.
8:00 A. M.--COLORS
The Guard turned out for Uncle Sam
And handed him the "Grand Salaam."
8:10 A. M.--SICK CALL
One fellow went to show his corn
For there's a Hike to-morrow morn.
8:20 A. M.--FIRST CALL FOR TROOP
I shaved and washed, then cleaned the Gat,
And had ten minutes left at that.
8:30 A. M.--TROOP
The Captain sized us up for fair,
But no kick comin' anywhere.
8:45 A. M.--GUARD MOUNT
Guard Mount, my name wasn't booked;
How is it I was overlooked?
RESPITE
No more calls to answer now
Til I hear them holler, "Chow"
For this is my easy day:
Guess I rate it anyway.
12:00 N--CHOW--LIBERTY
Chow was the regular menu,
Spuds et cetera--carabao.
I heard "Liberty" when it went
But I didn't have a cent.
1:00 P. M.--POLICE
Glad I have no work today;
I'll turn in and hit the hay.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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