They were plucky as sin

But they had to come in

When they found how the Springfield could shoot—

Shoot, shoot!

How my blue-bottle barrel could shoot!

I was Vengeance when, with Miles through trackless snow,

The "fighting Fifth" took toll for Custer's fall;

I was Justice when we flayed Geronimo;

I was Mercy to the famished horde of Gall.

Oh, I was slow-plodding and steady;