Private in the OHG

                                     

I’ve enlisted as a private in the old Home Guard;

I am drilling with my neighbors and we’re going at it hard.

Twice a week, and on Sunday, you will find us on the Green,

And if we have occasion we are drilling in between.

We have got ‘em up to sixty, down to seventeen in trim;

We have got ‘em fat and forty, we have got ‘em young and slim;

Just a company of rookies, father, son and neighbors all,

Doing squad and platoon movements at the Cap’n’s husky call.

I’ve enlisted as a private in the old Home Guard;

And the grass and weeds are growing in my nice front yard.

I’ve no time for chores or farming when my labor hours are done,

For it’s get my gun and hustle for the Green upon the run.

First the sergeant yells “attention” then he loudly calls the “roll”,

Then it’s “count-off” with all the gusto of a wild and savage soul.

Then the Cap’n’ takes his station and the way he puts us through

I should think the tears of heaven would be falling with the dew.

I’ve enlisted as a private in the old Home Guard;

My muscles they are knotted, my ambition it is marred;

It is “shoulder arms” and “forward”, it is “halt” and “order arms”,

While the squad and platoon movements they have lost their former charms.

It is drill and drill and labor till we seem about to fall

But we have to march and counter at the Cap’n’s husky call.

I’ve enlisted as a private in the old Home Guard,

While the weeds and grass have captured my nice front yard.

  

June 15, 1917

 

                                                                   Home Guard, Old Saybrook, CT July 4, 1917, flag presentation

                                                                                            (top: Joe Cone, August, 1917)