Soldiers of the Soil

IT'S a high-falutin' title they have handed us;
It's very complimentary and grand;
But a year or so ago they called us 'hicks,' you know--
An' joshed the farmer and his hired hand!

Now it's, 'Save the country, Farmer!
Be a soldier of the soil!
Show your patriotism, pardner,
By your never ending toil.'
So we're croppin' more than ever,
An' we're speedin' up the farm.
Oh, it's great to be a soldier,--
sweatin' sun-burnt soldier,--
A soldier in the furrows--
Away from 'war's alarm!'

While fightin' blight and blister,
We hardly get a chance
To read about our 'comrades'
A-doin' things in France.

[...] Read more

poem by Everard Jack Appleton
Added by Poetry Lover
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