O it’s ‘Thin red line of ‘eroes’ when the drums begin to roll.”
Delaney picked up the honors for the next verse, laying into it with gusto, to the applause of the soldiers, who were unaccustomed to having their officers being so regular around them.
“We aren’t no thin red ‘eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too.
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints;
While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ Tommy, fall be’ind’,
But it’s ‘Please to walk in front, sir,’ when there’s trouble in the wind.
There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind.
O it’s ‘Please to walk in front, sir,’ when there’s trouble in the wind.”
The entire group was struck dumb with amazement when Andre chimed in with the final verse.
“You talk ‘o better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.”
Delaney joined in with her on the chorus, and after a moment’s disbelieving hesitation, the others did as well.
“For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ ‘Chuck him out, the brute!’
But it’s ‘Savior of ‘is country’ when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please,
An’ Tom my ain’t a bloomin’ fool, you bet that Tommy sees!”
“ ‘Pon my soul, miss,” said Mulvaney rising to his feet along with the others, “that was a right proper finish to a right proper barracks song. An’ it’s the first time I ever ‘eard a lady sing so lustily since I was in the good of’ East End at Miss Violet McKerizie’s—“
“Tavern,” Learoyd said very quickly. “She was a lovely singer, Miss McKenzie was. Warmed our hearts to hear her sing, it did.”
Mulvaney turned crimson and looked down at the floor. Ortheris pretended to have something caught in his throat.
“I’m very flattered, gentlemen,” said Andre, “to be compared to someone with so much … warmth.”
Ortheris broke into a fit of coughing.
“Do sit down, gentlemen,” said Andre. “No need to stand on my account. And someone please give Private Ortheris a drink before he strangulates himself. Then someone can give me one, as well.”
“So how did your conference with the general go, Father?” Delaney said.
“He attempted to induce me to change my mind,” said Lucas, “but said I would be welcome to accompany the force if I was dead set on going.”
“Well, then, welcome to you, Father,” said Mulvaney. “An’ mind now, you boys watch your lips in the presence o’ the clergy an’ his lady!”
“Somehow that didn’t quite come out sounding right, Mulvaney,” said Learoyd wryly.