Classic and Contemporary Poetry
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE ARMY, by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON Poet's Biography First Line: Where 'ave you been this week or more Last Line: Right in the front of the army! Alternate Author Name(s): Paterson, 'banjo' Subject(s): Army Life; War; Drills & Minor Tactics | ||||||||
'Where 'ave you been this week or more, 'Aven't seen you about the war? Thought perhaps you was at the rear Guarding the waggons.' 'What, us? No fear! Where have we been? Why, bless my heart, Where have we been since the bloomin' start? Right in the front of the army, Battling day and night! Right in the front of the army, Teaching 'em how to fight!' Every separate man you see, Sapper, gunner, and C.I.V., Every one of 'em seems to be Right in the front of the army! Most of the troops to the camp had gone, When we met with a cow-gun toiling on; And we said to the boys, as they walked her past, 'Well, thank goodness, you're here at last!' 'Here at last! Why, what d'yer mean? Ain't we just where we've always been? Right in the front of the army, Battling day and night! Right in the front of the army, Teaching 'em how to fight!' Correspondents and Vets in force, Mounted foot and dismounted horse, All of them were, as a matter of course, Right in the front of the army. Old Lord Roberts will have to mind If ever the enemy get behind; For they'll smash him up with a rear attack, Because his army has got no back! Think of the horrors that might befall An army without any rear at all! Right in the front of the army, Battling day and night! Right in the front of the army, Teaching 'em how to fight! Swede attaches and German counts, Yeomen (known as De Wet's Remounts), All of them were, by their own accounts, Right in the front of the army! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NIGHT PIECE FOR MY TWENTY-SEVENTH BIRTHDAY by JOHN CIARDI VISIBILITY ZERO by JOHN CIARDI GOOD-BYE, WENDOVER; GOOD-BYE, MOUNTAIN HOME by RANDALL JARRELL SOLDIER (T.P.) by RANDALL JARRELL TRANSIENT BARRACKS by RANDALL JARRELL MONDAY MORNING REVEILLE by JOHN CIARDI A BALLAD OF DUCKS by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON |
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