Soldier Or Slacker

It isn’t because he carries a gun And sleeps in a tent when the day is done, That a man is called a soldier; Nor because he marches, with head held high And a swift salute when the flag goes by, For none of these make a soldier.

’Tis because he heeds when an order’s heard, Because he obeys it with never a word, That a man is called a soldier; Because his weapons are shining bright, His courage steady from morn till night,-- For these are the signs of a soldier.

’Tis slackers who argue and fail to obey, ’Tis slackers who pout when they can’t have their way, They’re not for the life of a soldier. ’Tis slackers who idle and won’t do their bit, They never could fight, for they haven’t the grit, Oh, valor it takes for a soldier!