The Defaulter Poem by Cicely Fox Smith

The regimental jackdaw 'as a bright an' beady eye;
'E sits upon the tent-pole an' 'e winks both bold an' sly:
'E says: 'You bloomin' ediot, you, to go an' get C.B.!'
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!

The regimental jackdaw, 'e is like a bloomin' lord,
'E 'ops it when 'e thinks 'e will, an' no one speaks a word:
'E takes 'is 'ook without no pass, 'e don't come 'ome to tea,
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!

The regimental jackdaw, 'e can always speak 'is mind:
'E tells the Colonel what 'e thinks when thus 'e feels inclined,
'E sauces off the Adjutant as 'andy as can be,
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!

The regimental jackdaw, 'e 's the jolliest thing I've seen,
'E 'as no pack to carry an' 'e 'as no pipe to clean,
'E 's breakin' rules the 'ole day long an' never gets C.B.
An' I wish I was the jackdaw, an' I wish that 'e was me!