Nine thousand soldiers, a number far too great,
The country can’t afford them, let’s make it eight.
Chorus.
10,000, 9,000, 8,000, 7,000, 6,000 soldier boys,
5,000, 4,000, 3,000, 2,000, 1,000 soldier boys.
Eight thousand soldiers to guard us all, good heaven!
Can’t we do with fewer men, and show up only seven?
Seven thousand soldiers to help us in a fix,
Let’s reduce a little more, and bring them down to six.
Six thousand soldiers! as I am here alive,