Em Em Em Em
[Verse 1]
Em G D
As I was walking down the road, a-feeling fine and larkey, oh
Em G D Em
A recruiting sargeant came up to me, says he, "You'd look fine in khaki, oh
Em G D
For the King, he is in need of men, come read this proclamation, oh
Em G D Em
A life in Flanders for you then would be a fine vacation, oh."
[Verse 2]
Em G D
"That may be so," says I to him, "But tell me sargeant, deary-o
Em G D Em
If I had a pack stuck up on me back would I be fine and cheery-oh?
Em G D
For they'd have you train and drill until they'd have you one of the Frenchies, oh
Em G D Em
It may be warm in Flanders but it's drafty in the trenches, oh."
[Verse 3]
Em G D
The sargeant smiled and winked his eye, his smile was most provoking, oh
Em G D Em
He twiddled and twirled his wee moustache, says he, "I know you're only joking, oh.
Em G D
The sandbags are so warm and high, the wind you won't feel blowing, oh."
Em G D Em
I winked at a cailin passing by, says I, "What if it's snowing, oh?"
[Verse 4]
Em G D
Come rain or hail or wind or snow, I'm not going out to Flanders, oh
Em G D Em
There's fighting in Dublin to be done, let your sargeants and you commanders go.
Em G D
Let English men fight English wars, it's nearly time they started, oh
Em G D Em
I saluted the sargeant a very good night. There and then we parted, oh.
