The Blue Ribbon Did It Poem by Robert Kirkland Kernighan

She loved him ; but she saw him drunk !

Ah ! fearful sight for her to see ;
And though it broke her heart, she said

That they could never married be ;
And other lovers crowded near
To breathe their fond hopes in her ear.
It puzzled me to see her smile

On others while she loved him so ;
For none of them were half so brave,

Or handsome, straight and tall as Joe.

I think that that was strange

Do n't you ?
But then they all wore badges blue.

Joe went and took the pledge, and said
He 'd stain his honor never more ;

And soon he on his manly breast
The badge of his redemption wore ;

And when his darling heard of that

Her faithful heart went pit-a-pat

She sacked her lovers all, and flew
To lay her head against the breast

That wore the blessed badge of blue.

I think that that was sweet
Do n't you ?

Oh, bonny, bonny badge of blue !

Were I a girl I would n't wed

A man that guzzled rum would you?



I 'd give the chances all to him

Who wore the little badge of blue ;

And if he would n't wear it, I

Would pin it on and tell him why.

'T would save us both from grief and woe,
And every mis'ry cold and black ;

It made another man of Joe,

And now he 's got the inside track.

I think I 'm talking sense
Do n't you ?

Then wear the bonny badge of blue.