<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">A Chant of Army Cooks</h1><p class="byline"> ANONYMOUS <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN The Stars And Stripes, A.E.F., France</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WE never were made to be seen on parade</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">When sweethearts and such line the streets;</p><p class="line">When the band starts to blare, look for us we ain't there--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We're mussing around with the eats.</p><p class="line">It's fun to step out to the echoing shout</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Of a crowd that forgets how you're fed,</p><p class="line">While we're soiling our duds hacking eyes out of spuds--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">You know what Napoleon said.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">When the mess sergeant's gay, you can bet hell's to pay</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">For the boys who are standing in line;</p><p class="line">When the boys get a square, then the sergeant is there</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With your death warrant ready to sign.</p><p class="line">If you're long on the grub, then you're damned for a dub,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">If you're short, you're a miser instead,</p><p class="line">But, however you feel, you must get the next meal--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">You know what Napoleon said.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">You think it's a cinch when you come to the clinch</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">For the man who is grinding the meat;</p><p class="line">In the heat of the fight, why the cook's out of sight</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With plenty of room to retreat</p><p class="line">But a plump of a shell in a kitchen is hell </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">When the roof scatters over your head,</p><p class="line">And you crawl on your knees to pick up the K. P.'s--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">You know what Napoleon said.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If the war ever ends, we'll go back to our friends--</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In the army we've nary a one;</p><p class="line">We'll list to the prattle of this or that battle,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And then, when the story is done,</p><p class="line">We'll say, when they ask, "Now what was your task,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And what is the glory you shed?"</p><p class="line">"You see how they thrive--well, we kept 'em alive!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">You know what Napoleon said." </p></div></body></html> · Great War