Sergeant Major Larry Of The Gallant 58Th

In '96 the author served his Queen for two weeks on the plains of Rockland, near Richmond, Que., as orderly under the gallant Capt. Peter Gillies, now of Bury, P. Q. One of the subordinate officers becoming the butt of his comrades owing to unpopular tactics the following "Come-allye" resulted. The author may add that this "drill" ended his military career--he hasn't been orderly since.

O come all ye loyal volunteers, You're ordered for review: Keep your eyes on Sergeant Larry Of the famous "No. 2". He's the model of a soldier, And 'tis worth your while to watch How he handles the maneuvers In his drill among the Scotch.

Sure his "honors" sought him early, He was here but half a week, When the call came: "Forward, Larry, You're promoted for your cheek: Take your stripes and stand for orders And reveal to No. 2 What a mixture of conceit and gall, With brass and cheek, can do."

And the "orders" are "Fall in, my men, Look sharp, and don't be late! Signed, Sergeant Major Larry, Of the gallant 58." Come, my boys, you need not grumble, You have but to grin and yield, For brave Kitchener's "not in it" When bold Larry's on the field.

When we started down from Scotstown We were just as big as him, But his honors won so quickly Made the rest of us look slim. O, he swelled in regimentals Till he quite outgrew his tent, But he'll get the one he asked for When old Hogan pays his rent.

O we are loyal volunteers, Our red coats prove us so, We are ready, aye, and willing now To meet our country's foe. Who would not be proud of Canada And for her sake to bleed? For success would crown our efforts If bold Larry took the lead.

Yes, the sword that dangles by his side's A borrowed one, I know But it matters not to Larry, As it helps to make a show! See him strut around the camp ground, Like a peacock in the grass! And the "staff" will send him higher When it needs a boom in brass.

Such was Larry bold--in peace time-- He was brave as Lochinvar, But he quickly changed his music As the bugle called for war; When the Highlanders grew wrathy, With their hair straight up on end, Sergeant Larry dropped at Bury, As he wished to see a friend!

We were left without a leader And the riot louder swelled, Divers Scotsmen drew their bayonets And for blood they madly yelled. Ev'ry car was full of soldiers, Noisy as salvation drum, On the day we left Camp Rockland And the troops came shouting home.

After Larry comes the "Colonel," And a valiant man is he, Tho' he never led his forces From "Atlanta to the sea"; Yet, if e'er the country needs him, Every clansman will awake, From old Hampton down to Weedon And from Lingwick to the Lake.

We will conquer with our music If our fighting fails to win, Whom bold Larry cannot vanquish We will silence with our din; Thus we'll proudly march to glory And in midst of all the fray We'll be cheered by French of Scotstown As he whistles "Cabar Faidth."

And McLennan with his bagpipes, He's a brass band in himself, We will have him with his music To conjure the fighting elf. There is nothing so inspiring As a loyal tune or song, To arouse a soldier's spirits And to cheer the "boys" along.

We will have them there from Scotstown, From Ben gal and Echo Vale, Men imbued with faith and courage, Highland traits which never fail; And to swell the fighting faction We've the twins of Murray's Clan, Who can fight their weight in wildcats-- Not to mention mortal man!

And we've armies to fall back on, Whose supply will never fail, Troops which cross the wild Atlantic On all ships of steam or sail; You will find them throughout Canada, Wherever you may roam, And the natives call them "home boys", For they never stop at home.

Chorus

Beat the drums and blow the bugle, boys, And whoop it all you're worth, As a token to the nations You are rulers of the earth! If you wish to shine as soldiers You must all be up to date, And uphold the reputation Of Battalion 58.