For the work is not yet done.
So teach the little children, too,
A patriotic zeal
And they will be ready, if ever there’s need,
To answer a world’s appeal.
Enter 12 small boys in soldier suits. They advance to front of stage, Uncle Sam standing at one side. At conclusion of speeches soldiers step to back of stage. Each group take same positions before and after speaking and singing.
| All Soldiers: | When each of us becomes a man
He’ll be a soldier if he can. |
| 1st. | I’d like to be a drummer boy.
I’d beat a charge with vim and joy. |
| 2nd. | I’d be a trumpeter. I’d never sound retreat
But call the men from hill and glen the enemy to meet. |
| 3rd. | I’d love to be a gunner and make the cannon roar.
A lot of gunners, brave and strong, I’m sure would end this war. |
| 4th. | I’ll be an aviator and like a bird I’ll fly
Within my shining airship, away up in the sky. |
| 5th. | I’ll drive a Red Cross ambulance and all the wounded men
I’ll take away from battle fields, till they are well again. |
| 6th. | Some one must feed the soldiers and I think I’d like to cook.
I don’t know how to do it, but you learn it from a book. |
| 7th. | I’d love to ride on horseback in every big parade,
But when it comes to battles I think I’d be afraid. |
| 8th. | I’d like to be a general, like Joffre, so good and wise
And find myself a hero in every nation’s eyes. |
| 9th. | I’d like to be as famous as the mighty General Foche
Who leads the allied armies to war against the Boche. |
| 10th. | I’d like to lead our army like General Pershing, he
Is just the biggest hero in all the world to me. |
| 11th. | I guess I’ll be a private. We can’t all heroes be,
But anyway, I know I’ll serve my country faithfully. |
| 12th. | I’ll be the color bearer and hold our flag on high,
And always, o’er the battle field, it will in victory fly. |
| All. | We’ll serve our country and our flag and serve them faithfully
And all be valiant soldiers when men we grow to be. |
Uncle Sam:
Don’t fail to help the Red Cross, too,