PREPAREDNESS
I never had no warlike mind,
I b'long to the plowin' peaceful kind
Thet stays at home and works along,
Sun to sun—I'm good and strong—-
But, neighbor, let me speak my mind:
When my country sez to back her,
Sez I back: "Here ain't no slacker,"
So walks up thar and signs the roll,
Come June the first, thirty-one year ole,
Now Uncle Sammy can call Bill Jones
Jest any ole time they say,
'Cause yisterday I gits insured,
And jined the church today.
I hates to leave the old home-folks,
They hates to see me go,
But I'd rather tote a rifle,
Than be shoulderin' a hoe.
When Uncle Sammy's needin' men—
And needin' 'em so much,
I 'lows how he can call on Bill,
To help 'im lick them Dutch.
For preacher sez: "God will protect
Me out thar," so, then, by Heck!
I am all O.K.
'Cause yisterday I gits insured,
And jined the church today.
The paper 'lows the fightin's bad,
As awful as can be—
Guns a-roarin'—blood a-flowin'—
And boats belo' thet sea.
But I'm ready—and I ain't a-feered
To die—if they do git me.
'Cause I ain't no skunking slacker,
If I am a "Georgia cracker,"
And if I don't come home no more,
The wolf won't come to my house door,
I am goin' when they say,
'Cause yisterday I gits insured,
And jined the church today.