(Our Army in the East)



Troopin', troopin', troopin'to the sea:
'Ere's September come again -- the six-year men are free.
O leave the dead be'ind us, for they cannot come away
To where the ship's a-coalin'up that takes us 'ome to-day.
 We're goin''ome, we're goin''ome,
 Our ship is at the shore,
 An'you must pack your 'aversack,
 For we won't come back no more.
 Ho, don't you grieve for me,
 My lovely Mary-Ann,
 For I'll marry you yit on a fourp'ny bit
 As a time-expired man.

The ~Malabar~'s in 'arbour with the ~Jumner~ at 'er tail,
An'the time-expired's waitin'of 'is orders for to sail.
Ho! the weary waitin'when on Khyber 'ills we lay,
But the time-expired's waitin'of 'is orders 'ome to-day.

They'll turn us out at Portsmouth wharf in cold an'wet an'rain,
All wearin'Injian cotton kit, but we will not complain;
They'll kill us of pneumonia -- for that's their little way --
But damn the chills and fever, men, we're goin''ome to-day!

Troopin', troopin', winter's round again!
See the new draf's pourin'in for the old campaign;
Ho, you poor recruities, but you've got to earn your pay --
What's the last from Lunnon, lads? We're goin'there to-day.

Troopin', troopin', give another cheer --
'Ere's to English women an'a quart of English beer.
The Colonel an'the regiment an'all who've got to stay,
Gawd's mercy strike 'em gentle -- Whoop! we're goin''ome to-day.
 We're goin''ome, we're goin''ome,
 Our ship is at the shore,
 An'you must pack your 'aversack,
 For we won't come back no more.
 Ho, don't you grieve for me,
 My lovely Mary-Ann,
 For I'll marry you yit on a fourp'ny bit
 As a time-expired man.