Rough and Ready

by Alfred Wheeler

We'll sing a song to suit the times,With voices bold and steady,And cheerily we'll tell in rhymesOf good old Rough and Ready.His foes may slander as they can,And bluster at his manners,Who cares a fig? He's just the manTo lead the Yankee banners.

 Then Rough and Ready let it ring, And set the bells a chiming, Where'er we go we're bound to sing His praises in our rhyming.

In Florida he gained a nameThat won our admiration,And loudly has his gallant fameBeen echoed thro' the nation.There's not a heart in all the land,That beats not firm and steady,For the hero of the Rio Grande,Old gallant Rough and Ready.

 Then Rough and Ready let it ring, And set the bells a chiming, Where'er we go we're bound to sing His praises in our rhyming.

At Monterrey he showed the worldThat Yankees ne'er are daunted,The flag of freedom he unfurled,And on the towers planted;And there it waves in triumph high'Mid freemen bold and steady,A monument to every eyeOf gallant Rough and Ready.

 Then Rough and Ready let it ring, And set the bells a chiming, Where'er we go we're bound to sing His praises in our rhyming.

Old Zach's the boy for Santa Anna,Ampudia or Arista,And long 'twill be ere they forgetThe field of Buena Vista.Though legions of the foeman swarm,Against our brave defenders,Old Rough and Ready they will findThe man who ne'er surrenders.

 Then Rough and Ready let it ring, And set the bells a chiming, Where'er we go we're bound to sing His praises in our rhyming.

Success has aye with glory brightUpon his path attended,And give him but the chance to fight,The war will soon be ended.And never shall Columbia ceaseTo cherish long and steady,The man in war and peace,The same old Rough and Ready.

 Then Rough and Ready let it ring, And set the bells a chiming, Where'er we go we're bound to sing His praises in our rhyming.

Now we predict it won't be long,In spite of Madam Rumor,Before we sing this very songIn the Halls of Montezuma.And then we'll shout in chorus strong,With voices firm and steady,And this the burden of our song,Old gallant Rough and Ready.