I want to be a Soldier!-- <br />A Soldier!-- <br />A Soldier!-- <br />I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand <br />Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder, <br />Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band; <br />I want to hear, high overhead, The Old Flag flap her wings <br />While all the Army, following, in chorus cheers and sings; <br />I want to hear the tramp and jar <br />Of patriots a million, <br />As gayly dancing off to war <br />As dancing a cotillion. <br /> <br />_I want to be a Soldier!_-- <br />_A Soldier!_-- <br />_A Soldier!_-- <br />_I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand_ <br />_Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder_, <br />_Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band_. <br /> <br />I want to see the battle!-- <br />The battle!-- <br />The battle!-- <br />I want to see the battle, and be in it to the end;-- <br />I want to hear the cannon clear their throats and catch the prattle <br />Of all the pretty compliments the enemy can send!-- <br />And then I know my wits will go,--and where I _should'nt_ be-- <br />Well, there's the spot, in any fight, that you may search for me. <br />So, when our foes have had their fill, <br />Though I'm among the dying, <br />To see The Old Flag flying still, <br />I'll laugh to leave her flying! <br /> <br />_I want to be a Soldier!_-- <br />_A Soldier!_-- <br />_A Soldier!_-- <br />_I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand_ <br />_Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder_, <br />_Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band_.<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-boy-patriot/
