SECRET SERVVCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 77

SECRET SERVVCE.

You've never seen us in the glories of peace,

With pipeclay and buttons aglow; We ain't the Johnnies with gold on ova: breast

And red on cur trousers, yer know. We don't stride the town with our band on

ahead, Or march in review past the girls; We ain't the blokes wot are ordered and led

By lollipop viscounts and earls. We don't go into a scrap with a blare, And charge up a 'ill with a yell ; We don't 'aye maties to 'elp us forget 'Ow close we are sailin 7 to 'ell. Wo don't go in for the gallery fights,

Acatchin' the newspapers' eyco, We ain't the "lollipops" — no, bet yer life!

We're only wot they call "spies." Spies! Yes, that's wot they call us. Spies! (an' they spits it out too), Reckon we work in a under' and way Because we ain't always in, view. Them folks never think of the dangers we face When detailed to go out on scout; They think we do coward's work 'cause we don't charge At a 'ill with a flag an' a shout. Sh-outin* and chargin' is all very well

"When the enemy stands for a scrap. But who'd find the enemy? Now, -s\ho do yer think? By Jove! not a lollipop chap! I ain't agrumblin' — no, bless yer 'cart! — ■ Because they don't "par" all our works, It's bein' called spi&3 by friend and by foe.

That's where the bloomin' thing 'uits. We're Secret Service (and please don't forge* ,

Whenever ye're talkin' to mo) ; I'm Secret Service — an' Seciet S&rvice, yoii bet, To the end o' my days will I Sic. - U, Tcjxabjj,

£ltfistchiirch, Auaust, 1005.