Em  Em  Em  Em

[Verse 1]
 Em                             G                D
As I was walking down the road, a-feeling fine and larkey, oh
    Em                                   G                    D     Em
A recruiting sargeant came up to me, says he, "You'd look fine in khaki, oh
        Em                                    G          D
For the King, he is in need of men, come read this proclamation, oh
  Em                                 G         D      Em
A life in Flanders for you then would be a fine vacation, oh."

[Verse 2]
   Em                             G                D
"That may be so," says I to him, "But tell me sargeant, deary-o
    Em                                   G                     D     Em
If I had a pack stuck up on me back would I be fine and cheery-oh?
        Em                                         G                  D
For they'd have you train and drill until they'd have you one of the Frenchies, oh
 Em                                 G         D      Em
It may be warm in Flanders but it's drafty in the trenches, oh."

[Verse 3]
   Em                             G                D
The sargeant smiled and winked his eye, his smile was most provoking, oh
    Em                                   G                   D     Em
He twiddled and twirled his wee moustache, says he, "I know you're only joking, oh.
        Em                                         G                  D
The sandbags are so warm and high, the wind you won't feel blowing, oh."
  Em                                 G         D      Em
I winked at a cailin passing by, says I, "What if it's snowing, oh?"


[Verse 4]
   Em                             G                D
Come rain or hail or wind or snow, I'm not going out to Flanders, oh
    Em                                   G                     D     Em
There's fighting in Dublin to be done, let your sargeants and you commanders go.
        Em                                         G                  D
Let English men fight English wars, it's nearly time they started, oh
  Em                                 G         D      Em
I saluted the sargeant a very good night.  There and then we parted, oh.