<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Not Too Old to Fight</h1><p class="byline"> T. C. HARBAUGH <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN The Chicago Ledger</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">MY name is Danny Bloomer and my age is eighty-three,</p><p class="line">Years ago I went with Sherman to the ever sunny sea.</p><p class="line">I stood my ground at Gettysburg, that bloody summer day,</p><p class="line">When gallant Pickett rushed the hill and lost his boys in gray;</p><p class="line">And now our starry banner is insulted and defied,</p><p class="line">The kaiser tears it into shreds and glories in his pride;</p><p class="line">Just pass the word across the sea to his stronghold of might,</p><p class="line">And say that Danny Bloomer's here and not too old to fight.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I gave my youth to Uncle Sam in years I'll ne'er forget,</p><p class="line">In mem'ry of those stirring times my old blood tingles yet.</p><p class="line">With four score years upon me I can lift the same old gun,</p><p class="line">And to face our Flag's insulter will be everlasting fun.</p><p class="line">Please say that Danny Bloomer is ready for the fray,</p><p class="line">Cry "Forward, march!" and see him in the good old ranks today.</p><p class="line">I love the flag of Washington because it stands for Right,</p><p class="line">And that is why I tell you I am not too old to fight.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">'Tis true I'm somewhat crippled, but I do not care for that,</p><p class="line">I feel as young as when I saw the tilt of Sherman's hat;</p><p class="line">I want to do my duty again before I die,</p><p class="line">And see Old Glory proudly in the streets of Berlin fly.</p><p class="line">I do not know the kaiser, but I hope within a year</p><p class="line">Amid the roar of cannon he will say, "Old Bloomer's here!" </p><p class="line">Yes, hand me down a rifle and I will use it right, </p><p class="line">Your Uncle Danny Bloomer isn't yet too old to fight.</p><p class="line">We've borne their insults long enough--they make me long to go. '</p><p class="line">I want to squint along my gun and aim it at the foe; </p><p class="line">I eat the same old rations that I ate in '64, </p><p class="line">And feel the blood of youth again amid the battle's roar. </p><p class="line">I haven't long to tarry here until my work is done,</p><p class="line">But I want to show the kaiser we're not in it for fun</p><p class="line">So give me marching orders and I'll disappear from sight,</p><p class="line">For I am Danny Bloomer, and I'm not too old to fight. </p></div></body></html> · Great War