Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Nautical Superstitions- Fiddler's Green, Part 2


So, after my Fiddler's Green post I got some response describing how Fiddler's Green is actually a fairly common bit of Army Lore (at least in America) and Father sent me this song from Fort Davis, Texas:

"FIDDLER’S GREEN
U. S Ninth Cavalry, Ft Davis, TX

Halfway down the trail to hell in a shady meadow green Are the souls of all dead troopers camped, near a good old time canteen.
And this eternal resting place is known as Fiddler’s Green.

Marching past, straight through to hell, the Infantry are seen, Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marine, For none but the shades of Cavalrymen stop off at Fiddler’s Green.

Though some go curving down the trail, to seek a warmer scene No trooper ever gets to hell ‘ere he’s emptied his canteen And so rides back to drink again with friends at Fiddler’s Green.

And so when man and horse go down, beneath a saber keen Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee you stop a bullet clean And the hostiles come to get your scalp, just empty your canteen

And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddler’s Green."

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