Last Poems (Housman)/Grenadier

by Alfred Edward Housman

V
Grenadier

The Queen she sent to look for me, The sergeant he did say,"Young man, a soldier will you be For thirteen pence a day?"

For thirteen pence a day did I Take off the things I wore,And I have marched to where I lie, And I shall march no more.

My mouth is dry, my shirt is wet, My blood runs all away,So now I shall not die in debt For thirteen pence a day.

To-morrow after new young men The sergeant he must see,For things will all be over then Between the Queen and me.

And I shall have to bate my price, For in the grave, they say,Is neither knowledge nor device Nor thirteen pence a day.