The Galway Races The Pogues

The Recruiting Sergeant

[Verse 1: Spider Stacy]
As I was walking down the road
A feeling fine and larky oh
A recruiting sergeant came up to me
Says he, "You'd look fine in khaki, oh"
"For the king, he is in need of men
Come read this proclamation, oh
A life in Flanders for you then
Would be a fine vacation, oh"

[Verse 2: Spider Stacy]
"That may be so," says I to him
"But tell me, sergeant dearie-oh
If I had a pack stuck upon my back
Would I look fine and cheerie oh?
For they'd have you train and drill until
They had you one of the Frenchies, oh
It may be warm in Flanders
But it's draughty in the trenches, oh"

[Verse 3: Shane MacGowan]
The sergeant smiled and winked his eye
His smile was most provoking, oh
He twiddled and twirled his wee mustache
Says he, "You're only joking, oh
For the sandbags are so warm and high
The wind you won't feel blowing, oh
Well, I winked at a cailin passing by
Says I, "What if it's snowing, oh?"

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