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William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

A Soldier’s Advice

COMRADES! follow my advice;

Learn with skill to draw a trigger;

Awkward men are weak as mice,

Dexterous men beat two men bigger!

Science in war conducts to fame:

Minerva wins Bellona’s game.

Clumsy ramparts rose at first

Foiling captains brave and witty:

Ramparts now explode in dust,

Miners take the strongest city.

Science in war conducts to fame,

Minerva wins Bellona’s game.

An ignorant soldier plays the dolt,

A veteran doubts his upper story,

In battle smiles to see him bolt:

Tactics lead the brave to glory!

Science in war conducts to fame;

Minerva wins Bellona’s game.

Courage may be very fine,

Steel is tough, though not a hatchet;

Give it shape and edge to shine,

Clumsy mallets never match it.

Science in war conducts to fame:—

Minerva wins Bellona’s game.

Martial science would you know?

Mind your leader—hold your prattle;

Discipline must guide the blow

That decides your country’s battle.

Science in war conducts to fame;

Minerva wins Bellona’s game.