The Sergeant's Weddin'

Rudyard Kipling 1865 (Mumbai) – 1936 (London)



'E was warned agin' 'er --
 That's what made 'im look;
She was warned agin' 'im --
 That is why she took.
'Wouldn't 'ear no reason,
 'Went an' done it blind;
We know all about 'em,
 They've got all to find!
 
     Cheer for the Sergeant's weddin' --
     Give 'em one cheer more!
     Grey gun-'orses in the lando,
     An' a rogue is married to, etc.
 
What's the use o' tellin'
 'Arf the lot she's been?
'E's a bloomin' robber,
 ~An'~ 'e keeps canteen.
'Ow did 'e get 'is buggy?
 Gawd, you needn't ask!
'Made 'is forty gallon
 Out of every cask!
 
Watch 'im, with 'is 'air cut,
 Count us filin' by --
Won't the Colonel praise 'is
 Pop -- u -- lar -- i -- ty!
We 'ave scores to settle --
 Scores for more than beer;
She's the girl to pay 'em --
 That is why we're 'ere!
 
See the chaplain thinkin'?
 See the women smile?
Twig the married winkin'
 As they take the aisle?
Keep your side-arms quiet,
 Dressin' by the Band.
Ho!  You 'oly beggars,
 Cough be'ind your 'and!
 
Now it's done an' over,
 'Ear the organ squeak,
"~'Voice that breathed o'er Eden~" --
 Ain't she got the cheek!
White an' laylock ribbons,
 Think yourself so fine!
I'd pray Gawd to take yer
 'Fore I made yer mine!
 
Escort to the kerridge,
 Wish 'im luck, the brute!
Chuck the slippers after --
 [Pity 'tain't a boot!]
Bowin' like a lady,
 Blushin' like a lad --
'Oo would say to see 'em
 Both is rotten bad?
 
     Cheer for the Sergeant's weddin' --
      Give 'em one cheer more!
     Grey gun-'orses in the lando,
      An' a rogue is married to, etc.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 08, 2023

1:31 min read
85

Quick analysis:

Scheme abxbcded CFGH ciaxjkck lmxmxxex incnlxxx aocoxpap xqaqjrer CFGH
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 1,473
Words 283
Stanzas 8
Stanza Lengths 8, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 4

Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist chiefly remembered for his tales and poems of British soldiers in India and his tales for children. more…

All Rudyard Kipling poems | Rudyard Kipling Books

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