~ Words and music by Frank Wilder ~
During the Civil War, Invalid Corps, the military formation, was established by the U.S. government in order to enable soldiers who were either partly or previously disabled to take on various light duties which would then free up otherwise healthy troops for front line combat.
"Invalid Corps", the popular humorous music hall ballad, satirizes those who sought to escape being drafted into the Union Army by failing the medical examination. The song dates to circa 1863. The first stanza tells the story of a Union conscript attempting to join the military, only to be rejected because of his poor health. The rest of the song humorously depicts the rejected conscript's experience in the Invalid Corps.
THE INVALID CORPS
I wanted much to go to war and went to be examined,
The surgeon looked me o’er and o’er, my back and chest he hammered.
Said he, “You’re not the man for me. Your lungs are much affected!
And likewise both your eyes are cocked and otherwise defected!”
Chorus:
So now I’m with the Invalids, and cannot go and fight, sir!
The Doctor told me so, you know. Of course, he must be right, sir!
While I was there a host of chaps for reasons were exempted.
Old Pursy, he was laid aside; to pass he had attempted.
The Doctor said, “I do not like your corporosity, sir!
You’ll breed a famine in the camp wherever you might be, sir!”
[Cho.]
There came a fellow, mighty tall; a knock-kneed overgrowner.
The Doctor said, “I’ve got no time to take and look you over!”
Next came along a little chap, who was about two foot nothing.
The Doctor said, “You’d better go and tell your mammy you are coming!”
[Cho.]
Some had the Tickerdolerreau, some what they call “Brown Critters.”
And some were lank and lazy too; and some too fond of bitters.
Some had “Cork Legs,” and some “One-eye,” with backs deformed and crooked.
I’ll bet you’d laugh ‘til you had cried to see how “cute” they looked!
[Cho.]
Негізгі бет Музыка THE INVALID CORPS
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