A Soldier's Reminiscences lyrics

I am an old Soldier with hair iron grey

My mem'ry's not bad tho' I'm sixty today

Or else sixty two… I can't be sixty four

Well, maybe I am, but I'm not a day more.

I can reckon it out, I was born in… dear me!

Why at that rate I must be turned seventythree

Dear me, this confusion it makes me upset

Why I'm eighty, I think… I forget, I forget!

Only loved once, 'twas a girl called Elaine

Elaine or Priscilla, no! Perhaps it was Jane

However, one evening my brain in a whirl

I went to her father and asked for the girl.

Said he “Which girl is it? for I possess three”

I said “Gladys Maud is the best girl for me”

Now did he consent in a tone of regret

Or say “Take the three?”… I forget, I forget!

I first joined the Army in seventeen ten

No, that can't be right for I wasn't born then

'Twas eighteen six three, wrong again, it was no

That's somebody's telephone number I know

They asked me what regiment I'd like to choose

Would I join the Hussars? I said “No, the Who's?”

'Twas with General Buller, we captured De Wet

Or did he catch us?... I forget, I forget!

Ah! well! I suppose that I get very old

And I'm not so much use in the Army I'm told

So I just jog along as the days come and go

And wait for the call that is coming I know

When the final halt comes, and I hear the last call

That comes from the Greatest Commander of all

Then whatever there is in the past to regret

I shall hand up my sword and just hope He'll forget.