Beans

A simple ditty Private Smithy sang for me, Entitled "Beans."... The tune was not a joy; The words were commonplace as they could be, But just to hear his earnest voice--"Oh, Boy!"

When first I went a-sojerin' I couldn't eat the stuff The cookies gave the bunch of us, For it was rough and tough. But since I've been a-sojerin' And learned what livin' means The grub we get tastes mighty good, E-special-lee th' beans, Especially th' beans!

We all were soft and flabby-- Our hands and muscles, too-- We had been used to easy things To eat, to think, to do. But when we tackled trench work, With all that diggin' means, We learned to like the sojer grub, E-special-lee th' beans, Especially th' beans.

So now we're very diff'rent When mess-call comes around; We've got our appetites all set A-waitin' for that sound; It's always "second helpin's" Behind the mess-tent screens; We're glad for Uncle Sam's good grub, E-special-lee th' beans, Especially th' beans!

A very simple ditty, you'll agree with me; A commonplace production; but the joy And unction that he puts into the melody, The splendid appetite he sings--Oh, Boy!