I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride 
He and I took a stroll down by the by the sea side 
A seeking good fortune and what might be tide 
'Twas just as the day was a dawning 
After resting we both took a tramp 
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp 
Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp 
With his rowdy dow dow in the morning

Says he me young fellows if you will enlist 
A guinea you quickly have in your fist 
Likewise the crown for to kick the dust 
And drink the king's health in the morning 
From a soldier he leads a very fine life
He always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And always lives happy and charming 

Ah now me bold sergeant we are not for sale
We'll make no such bargain, your bribe won't avail
We're not tried of our country we don't care to sail
Although that your offer is charming 
And if we were such fools as to take the advance 
This right bloody slander would be our poor chance 
For the Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France
Where we would be shot with out warning

He says me young fellows if I hear but one word 
I instantly now will out with my sword 
And into your body as strength will afford 
So now my gay devils take warning 
But Arthur and I we took in the odds 
We gave them no chance for to launch out their swords 
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads 
And paid them right smart in the morning

As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch 
And we made a foot- ball of his rowdy dow dow 
And into the ocean to rock and to roll 
And bade it a tedious returning 
As for the old rapier that hung by his side 
We flung it as far as we could in tide 
To devil I pitch you sez Arthur McBride 
To temper your steel in the morning