TRANSCRIBED FROM THE OSCEOLA TIMES MARCH 1, 1918 P. 3
Camp Sevier, February, 17, 1918.
Dear Editor:
Please print the following poem entitled:
I’m Always Ready
I’ll always try to protect my people and country,
And do what I think is the best and right,
And if you and I love our Country truly,
Surely we ought to be willing to fight.
I shall always be ready to give my services
To my people and country first of all,
For if we fail to do our bit,
Our nation is sure to fall and the
(blank) will reap the gold,
Of course, I’d rather stay at home
Than go to France to fight, It’s true.
But alas, I see and feel my duty
So I must stand by the old Red, White and Blue.
I often think of father and mother,
Little brothers, sisters and sweetheart, too.
And then I think of my own big self,
And wonder how much I can do for
the old Red, White and Blue.
For I’m only one and very small and
don’t amount to very much,
But still I’m ready to give my service
To save my country and the Old
Red, White and Blue from the
Clutches of the Huns.
The Huns surely want to come into
this fair land of ours.
So we must be brave and true and do
Our bit.
And show them our manly strength
and powers.
Of course, it seems very hard.
To cross the foam to fight.
But then we must answer duty’s call
And fight to help defend the world for
right,
It all seems wrong and very cruel,
This I will admit,
But before we get through with the
Huns,
We’ll make them have something like a fit
So cheer up, boys, and lets do our
Work.
And do it quick,
Although it’s a work we do not love.
But as soon as we have finished our
task, we can go live happy with
those whom we love,
Written by
PRIVATE HILLIARD C. SMITH.
Bat. D. 114th F. A.
Camp Sevier, S. C.
NOTES: Hilliard Commodore Smith was born on November 13, 1889 and died on September 9, 1974. He is buried in the Bassett Cemetery in Bassett, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. in the US Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY PAYTON DHOOGE
Camp Sevier, February, 17, 1918.
Dear Editor:
Please print the following poem entitled:
I’m Always Ready
I’ll always try to protect my people and country,
And do what I think is the best and right,
And if you and I love our Country truly,
Surely we ought to be willing to fight.
I shall always be ready to give my services
To my people and country first of all,
For if we fail to do our bit,
Our nation is sure to fall and the
(blank) will reap the gold,
Of course, I’d rather stay at home
Than go to France to fight, It’s true.
But alas, I see and feel my duty
So I must stand by the old Red, White and Blue.
I often think of father and mother,
Little brothers, sisters and sweetheart, too.
And then I think of my own big self,
And wonder how much I can do for
the old Red, White and Blue.
For I’m only one and very small and
don’t amount to very much,
But still I’m ready to give my service
To save my country and the Old
Red, White and Blue from the
Clutches of the Huns.
The Huns surely want to come into
this fair land of ours.
So we must be brave and true and do
Our bit.
And show them our manly strength
and powers.
Of course, it seems very hard.
To cross the foam to fight.
But then we must answer duty’s call
And fight to help defend the world for
right,
It all seems wrong and very cruel,
This I will admit,
But before we get through with the
Huns,
We’ll make them have something like a fit
So cheer up, boys, and lets do our
Work.
And do it quick,
Although it’s a work we do not love.
But as soon as we have finished our
task, we can go live happy with
those whom we love,
Written by
PRIVATE HILLIARD C. SMITH.
Bat. D. 114th F. A.
Camp Sevier, S. C.
NOTES: Hilliard Commodore Smith was born on November 13, 1889 and died on September 9, 1974. He is buried in the Bassett Cemetery in Bassett, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. in the US Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY PAYTON DHOOGE