The Lads of the Maple Leaf
PE for any adventure, sturdy, loyal and game,
Quick to the call of the Mother, the young Canadians came.
Eager to show their mettle, ready to shed their blood,
They bowed their neck to the collar and trained in the Wiltshire mud;
Shipped, in the fulness of time, across to the other shore,
Heard a deep hum in the distance, the basso profundo of war,
Fretted to get to the business, chafed for the firing line;
Forward, with throbbing pulses, like pilgrims who near their shrine;
Spoiled for a fight, and got it -- lurid, merciless, red --Trifled with death in the trenches, braved, and battled, and bled;
Then, at a given order, gathered together and backed --Not because they were bending, but to keep the line intact.
Four of their guns defenceless -- left in the enemy's hand!
That was a bitter buffet, more than the lads could stand.
Back charged the men of the Maple, routed the jubilant Huns,
Captured a pack of Germans, and saved their beloved guns.
Ripe for any adventure, sturdy, loyal, and game,
Quick to the call of the Mother, the keen Canadians came.
Hurrah for the young Dominion!
Then cheer them with heart and voice,
The Maple shall never wither!
Bravo,
Canada boys!
Jessie Pope
Other author posts
The K A Boys
Dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud Kitchener's Army on the march Through Marylebone and Marble Arch, Men in motley, so to speak, Been in training about a week,
Ware Wire!
EN the beagles are running like steam, When the plough is as sticky as glue, When the scent is an absolute scream, And there's wire in the fence to get through Who waits to look after his pal
The Nut
He used to get, when in civilian state, His tea and shaving water, sharp, at eight Then ten delicious minutes would be spent In one last snooze of exquisite content That cosy nest, luxuriously sprung,
The Comet
Last week we started out in glee, The boys and Bertha, Aunt and me, Across the village green to see The comet;
