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The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard

Part 1 — THE CONTEMPLATIVE SENTRY

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Illustration from The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard

When all night long a chap remains On sentry-go, to chase monotony He exercises of his brains, That is, assuming that he's got any. Though never nurtured in the lap Of luxury, yet I admonish you, I am an intellectual chap, And think of things that would astonish you. I often think it's comical How Nature always does contrive That every boy and every gal, That's born into the world alive, Is either a little Liberal, Or else a little Conservative! Fal lal la! When in that house M.P.'s divide, If they've a brain and cerebellum, too, They've got to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to. But then the prospect of a lot Of statesmen, all in close proximity, A-thinking for themselves, is what No man can face with equanimity. Then let's rejoice with loud Fal lal That Nature wisely does contrive That every boy and every gal, That's born into the world alive, Is either a little Liberal, Or else a little Conservative! Fal lal la!

Illustration from The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard
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