Page:Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads (1892).djvu/222

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SHILLIN’ A DAY

My name is O’Kelly, I’ve heard the Revelly
From Birr to Bareilly, from Leeds to Lahore,
Hong-Kong and Peshawur,
Lucknow and Etawah,
And fifty-five more all endin’ in ‘pore.’
Black Death and his quickness, the depth and the thickness,
Of sorrow and sickness I’ve known on my way,
But I’m old and I’m nervis,
I’m cast from the Service,
And all I deserve is a shillin’ a day.
  (Chorus.) Shillin’ a day
  (Chorus.)  Bloomin’ good pay—
  (Chorus.)  Lucky to touch it, a shillin’ a day!

Oh, it drives me half crazy to think of the days I
Went slap for the Ghazi my sword at my side,