<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Old Gang on the Corner</h1><p class="byline"> WILLIAM HERSCHELL <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">INCollier'S Weekly</span><br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/>Permission to reproduce in this book</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">THE old gang on the Corner! What an arrant tribe they were;</p><p class="line">The Widow Kelly's Connie--he had always worried her!</p><p class="line">The Schultz boys, Jake and Rudy; the parson's own, Chub Smith,</p><p class="line">"Who," sister told the neighbors, "they can't do nothin' with."</p><p class="line">Young Tony Boots, the Dago, and Scamp, the tinner's son--</p><p class="line">To them a mischief thought of was a mischief quickly done.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The Old Gang on the Corner! In the are light's friendly glow</p><p class="line">They trooped each night till Tim the Cop came by and made them go.</p><p class="line">But all that now is ended, for the Sword of Hate is drawn--</p><p class="line">The Old Gang on the Corner from its happy haunt is gone.</p><p class="line">The street lamp idly sputters; Tim, the lonely, walks his beat,</p><p class="line">His good heart well ahunger for the Old Gang in the street.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The Old Gang on the Corner! Now each loyal mother brags</p><p class="line">No other neighborhood can boast as many service flags.</p><p class="line">Con Kelly's won a sergeantcy; the parson's black--sheep son</p><p class="line">Has had his picture printed for heroic deeds he's done.</p><p class="line">The Schultz boys, in the navy, though they yet are in their teens,</p><p class="line">Are mates with Scamp and Tony in the chase for for submarines.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The Old Gang on the Corner! Yes, we've all forgotten now</p><p class="line">The Hallowe'en they calcimined McDougall's muley cow,</p><p class="line">We've put aside the memories of cream and cake they stole</p><p class="line">When our church had a festival to pay for last year's coal.</p><p class="line">All that is in the Yestcrday--they're now our fighting men--</p><p class="line">And, God, won't we be happy if they all come home again? </p></div></body></html> · Great War