When first I went to soldier with, rifle on my shoulder There wasn't no one bolder in the corps, boys, oh And when I walked abroad, all the pretty girls, they'd wink at me The ladies can't resist a jolly soldier Bang upon the big drum, crash upon the cymbals We'll sing as we go marching along boys, along And although on this campaign There's no Whiskey or Champagne Still, we'll keep our spirits going with a song, boys Now, when we got the route, and for India, we set out The girls were crying round us to the docks, boys, oh So we gave three hearty cheers, for the pretty little dears In the hopes that each one got another soldier Bang upon the big drum, crash upon the cymbals We'll sing as we go marching along boys, along And although on this campaign There's no Whiskey or Champagne Still, we'll keep our spirits going with a song, boys Then we marched through Khalasan and we met the wild Afghan And made him at Karazia for to run boys, oh And we marched into Kabul, and we took the Bala Hisar And we made them respect the British soldier Bang upon the big drum, crash upon the cymbals We'll sing as we go marching along boys, along And although on this campaign There's no Whiskey or Champagne Still, we'll keep our spirits going with a song, boys And now I'll say goodbye, for I'm feeling rather dry And I see a comrade waiting with a song boys, oh So here's good to luck all and promotion soon, and better money That's the sort of ticket for a soldier Bang upon the big drum, crash upon the cymbals We'll sing as we go marching along boys, along And although on this campaign There's no Whiskey or Champagne Still, we'll keep our spirits going with a song, boys