I wear a splendid uniform; <br />I ride a splendid nag; <br />I talk both loud and valiantly <br />Of Honor and the Flag; <br />But let the South be easy still, <br />Her soldiers need not fear. <br />Ne'er shot nor blow shall lay them low <br />While I'm a Brigadier. <br /> <br />I canter gaily through the streets, <br />Attended by my staff, <br />Unheeding vulgar little boys <br />Who hoot and stare and chaff; <br />And such a staff! all foreign names, <br />Quite wonderful to hear, <br />Plain Yankee boys aren't good enough <br />For such a Brigadier. <br /> <br />I've Baron This and Duke of That, <br />And Prince of 'Tother, too, <br />The people ask me, 'What on earth <br />I have for them to do?' <br />'Tis plain to all but vulgar minds, <br />I want a kindred sphere; <br />There's nought like title, blood and style, <br />To aid a Brigadier! <br /> <br />No bloody wounds or hurts for me <br />Perhaps I am a sham; <br />But Politics and Influence <br />Have placed me where I am; <br />I give my dinners, draw my pay, <br />Drink brandy, wine or beer, <br />And mean to have a jolly time <br />While I'm a Brigadier. <br /> <br />Investigations pass me by, <br />Committees raise no row, <br />No one expects that I will fight -- <br />And faith, I don't know how! <br />I'm not for use, but ornament, <br />So each day I appear, <br />In buttons, braid, in gold arrayed -- <br />A fancy Brigadier. <br /> <br />There are plenty in the field <br />Who really like to fight -- <br />Give me money and good clothes, <br />And I'll be harmless quite, <br />Yet there is something on my mind, <br />That I can't quite make clear, <br />How can the Government afford <br />My style of Brigadier!<br /><br />Anonymous Americas<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-of-a-brigadier/
