++1943++

PFC Leon C. Gay
45th Infantry Division, U.S. Army

Published in the 45th Division newspaper

THE SLACKER

You say he can't stand the army
that the life is too rough for him
Do you think he is any better
than some other Tom or Jim?

You raised him up like a girl
he didn't smoke, he didn't drink so you brag
If all the rest of our boys were like him
what would become of our flag?

You say let the rough class do the fighting
they are used to beans and stew
I'm glad I'm classed with the roughnecks
who fight for the red, white and blue.

You say his girlfriend couldn't stand it
to see him off with the rest
Don't you think she'd be glad he enlisted
when she feels the Jap's hot breath.

You think of the women of Belgium
of the cruelties they had to bear
Do you want the same thing to happen
to our innocent daughters so fair?

You can thank God that the stars in Old Glory
are not blurred by that kind of strain
because here's to a million and more roughnecks
who have real red blood in their veins.

They go out and drill in bad weather
they come in with a smile on their face
while your darling sits in the parlor
and lets another man fight in his place.

Well, maybe we do fight and gamble
but we will fight as our forefathers did
So warm the milk for his bottle
Thank God we don't need your kid!

Leon C Gay