Danny Deever

By Rudyard Kipling

Born 1865


"What are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-on-Parade.
"To turn you out, to turn you out", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on-Parade.
"I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch", the Colour-Sergeant said.
         For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play,
         The regiment's in 'ollow square -- they're hangin' him to-day;
         They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away,
         An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.

"What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's bitter cold, it's bitter cold", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes that front-rank man fall down?" said Files-on-Parade.
"A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun", the Colour-Sergeant said.
         They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round,
         They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground;
         An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneakin' shootin' hound --
         O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!

"'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"I've drunk 'is beer a score o' times", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone", the Colour-Sergeant said.
         They are hangin' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is place,
         For 'e shot a comrade sleepin' -- you must look 'im in the face;
         Nine 'undred of 'is county an' the regiment's disgrace,
         While they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.

"What's that so black agin' the sun?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny fightin' 'ard for life", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny's soul that's passin' now", the Colour-Sergeant said.
         For they're done with Danny Deever, you can 'ear the quickstep play,
         The regiment's in column, an' they're marchin' us away;
         Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an' they'll want their beer to-day,
         After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.

DayPoems Poem No. 1789
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1789.html">Danny Deever by Rudyard Kipling</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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