Bugler Bill

When Bill was put in bugler he was tickled as could be;

“The best job in the outfit has been handed me,” says he.

“I only have to bugle once, to call ‘em out to drill,

Then stan’ aroun’ an’ see the “rooks” a-goin’ thro’ the grill.

The cap’n gives me orders an’ I bugle to the men,

They really can’t do anythin’ until I tell ‘em when.

Believe me, boys, this bugle job jes’ fills my soul with pride;”

So Bill began to bugle an’ he felt quite satisfied.

The days they came, the days they went, some boys went off to war,

An’ Comp’ny G was thinned in ranks the like you never saw;

An’ then we got some more recruits, an’ built it up again,

An’ kept the Home Guard outfit in the class of Upper Ten.

Of course there were promotions, men advanced along the line;

Our cap’n went the major which we thought was pretty fine;

Each non-con was promoted all the vacancies to fill

But Bill he kept a-buglin’ while his job had lost its thrill.

The privates grew proficient in their marksmanship each week;

The colonel praised their marchin’ till the boys could hardly speak.

The cap’n he was happy, both lieutenants, sergeants all;

Promotions were in order for the bosses big an’ small.

But Bill had reached his limit when he blew his maiden toot,

He watched the men advancin’ while his heart lay in his boot;

Poor Bill! When he was chosen first his heart was all a-thrill,

But Bill he started buglin’, an’ the cuss is buglin’ still!

Nov. 8, 1917

                  

     Joe Cone in Home Guard uniform, playing bugle on his back steps