Our sergeant-major is Bandy Burke,
Of course he couldn’t afford
To take a commission – he does the work
And the credit goes to the Lord.
These officer blokes can follow the hunt
Or shine in a fencing school,
But we like to know that the man in front
Is more than a titled fool.
And if you gave us an open choice
When it comes to some deadly work,
We’d sooner follow the well-known voice
Of bellerin’ Bandy Burke.
For Bandy Burke has hair on his chest
As rough as a badger’s wool,
And you’ll hear his voice right over the rest,
Like the roar of an angry bull.
But after dark when the pipes are lit,
And the stars come one by one,
You’ll hear him talk to the boys a bit,
And show them how things are done.
He’s only a farmer – like this De-Wet –
But he knows his army work:
And the very best officers you can get
Are the fellows like Bandy Burke.
(A B Banjo Paterson)
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